Govt. plans overhaul of public transport

• Combined timetable to be introduced for State and private buses
• Low interest loans to be given to purchase new buses to improve standard 
• Private bus owners to be given Rs. 300,000 loans to conduct repairs
• Insurance and leasing payment deadlines to be extended 
• Govt. to consider changing office hours to reduce congestion 

Spurred by COVID-19, a high-level meeting held yesterday introduced several policies to rev up Sri Lanka’s public transport sector, including amalgamating private and State buses into one timetable and providing special loans to purchase and repair buses, as well as extending insurance and leasing payments. 

The meeting presided over by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was held last morning to discuss how public transport could be improved to fall in line with Government healthcare guidelines after public transport restrictions were relaxed countrywide on Monday.

The meeting included Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, private bus owners and officials of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

Among the most significant measures was the decision to combine both the State and private bus services into one time table. This step has been recommended multiple times, including by the National Transport Commission (NTC), but failed to be implemented as public transport is a subject that is devolved to Provincial Councils and cannot be implemented by the Transport Ministry. 

“However, given the needs of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak, it was decided that this step would make public transport more efficient. Under the guidelines issued by health authorities, it is imperative that buses only transport passengers according to the number of seats and this measure will be strictly implemented,” Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said. 

The Government had also agreed to a host of other measures including no bus fare hikes and changing office times to reduce congestion on public transport and traffic, as well as purchase of standard buses. The Government had agreed to extend low interest loans from State banks to purchase dedicated passenger buses to improve the comfort levels of public transport. Approval has already been given for the import of 80 buses, according to Amaraweera. 

“There was also an agreement that private bus owners could get a Rs. 300,000 loan to repair and upgrade their buses so they are in accordance with transport safety regulations. Bus owners who are struggling to meet finance payments will also be given an extended relief period. The same will be done for owners who are struggling to renew their insurance. These were all assured by the President,” Amaraweera added. 

Amaraweera also contended that despite some issues, public transport operated well in many parts of the country and that transport officials would remain vigilant about maintaining COVID-19 mitigation measures. The discussion with the President had also looked at railway congestion but priority would be given to improving bus transport, he noted.