Rs. 500 bn lost annually due to poor public transport, will double with vehicle imports: Gemunu

The country loses Rs. 500 billion annually due to the lack of a proper public transport system, and this loss is expected to double once suspensions on vehicle imports are relaxed, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he noted that the government resumed vehicle imports today after several years of restrictions.

"The number of road accidents will rise with the influx of new cars, three-wheelers, and motorcycles. The resulting expenses will again become a burden on the country," he warned.

Wijerathne added that most imported buses will come from India, with a new bus costing at least Rs. 17 million, including taxes. The government also plans to import used buses, which, he cautioned, may require frequent repairs and consume more fuel.

Due to high taxes on imported buses, the annual bus fares are expected to increase in July.

Currently, a quarter of the population relies on public transport, while many others use private vehicles, he said.

To address these challenges, Wijerathne emphasised the need to develop the public transport system while ensuring the import of high-quality buses.