176 bus route Reckless driving: Disaster is Waiting to Happen

The drivers who are driving their private buses to their destinations are hell bent to display their maniacal tendency to raise, overtake as well as to stall unduly at their own preferred halts. They also disregard certain bus stops regularly making the passengers utterly desperate

Despite all the media exposure about catastrophic road accidents and deaths claiming lives at an alarming rate (seven deaths a day) the private bus service (dis-service) has become a law unto itself. 

News of a horrific accident involving a crane came while this article was being written. A motorised crane driven recklessly had ploughed into a crowd of motor cyclists at Kanatte Junction, killing one and injuring several others seriously. 

But I am specifically highlighting what transpires in the 176 Bus route plying from Hettiyawatte to Nugegoda cutting across the Colombo city. 

The drivers who are driving their private buses to their destinations are hell bent to display their maniacal tendency to raise, overtake as well as to stall unduly at their own preferred halts. They also disregard certain bus stops regularly making the passengers utterly desperate. Besides, they abandon the terminal bus halt at Hettiyawatte junction to take a quick U turn in order to hurriedly resume their new journey making passengers cross the road and walk back.

The craziest episode manifests itself when these 176 bus drivers dart off at break-neck speeds and intermittently jam their breaks throwing the standing passengers off balance. Just imagine the fate of pregnant mothers coming from De Zoysa Maternity Hospital, children getting on board opposite Lady Ridgeway Hospital including elderly patients coming from the  Colombo General Hospital.

Further, consider the hundreds of little students going to and fro to attend schools situated all along this route. Why can’t the City Traffic Police send their men and women in civvies to see and to feel the agony that is inflicted on those who take the 176 route. Strict punitive police action could be the only solution. Indeed, an impending calamity and the ongoing agony needs to be eliminated forthwith. 

PRO BONO PUBLICO -- COLOMBO