Passenger woes

COLOMBO is caught amidst several strikes and demonstrations these days. While the trade unions are continuing their protests against the withdrawn Pension Bill for the private sector, monks are on protest marches and buses have gone on strike.

Trapped in the middle of this situation the average man is also wondering how to handle the increased bus fare, which is expected to hit his wallet on 1 July. At the moment private buses on the Panadura – Colombo, Moratuwa – Colombo, Kalutara – Colombo and Matugama – Colombo routes are on strike.

It has been reported that buses on the Karagampitiya - Hettiyawatta (176), Battaramulla – Dehiwela (163), Mount Lavinia – Mattakkuliya (155), and Angulana-Kiribathgoda (154) routes may go on strike to join the others, exacerbating the problem.

The strike by the private bus operaters started after a bus driver and a conductor of a private bus were allegedly assaulted by a group of over 20 people in front of the Ratmalana CTB depot on Wednesday.  Private Bus Drivers and Conductors Union has stated that bus operators will continue their strike until the individuals responsible for the assault are brought to book. Thousands of commuters from Panadura to Colombo and several other areas have been stranded due to the lack of buses on the roads.

On top of this the Chairman of Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association Gemunu Wijeratna has warned that the bus fare of the private buses will be increased definitely from 1 July. The increase is expected to be 15%. The minimum fare of Rs. 6 would also be increased to Rs. 8. The union is vociferously pledging to oppose any attempt to minimise the amount of increase pointing to the hike of diesel price and the sharp increase of prices of tyres and other spare parts.  

In addition the continued lack of a systematic passenger transport service in the country has undermined economic growth. It is imperative that the government takes measures to improve the quality of public transport in line with the fare increases so that the masses will have a fair deal. At the moment the prices increase without any reciprocal benefits to the consumer leading to an additional burden as well as massive economic loss to the country.

 It has been estimated that the annual loss to Sri Lanka’s economy is around Rs. 200 billion. This includes Rs. 15 billion in traffic congestion, Rs. 360 million in sulphurous diesel usage, Rs. 720 million in EPF payments to bus crews, Rs. 36.5 million in damage to the environment and Rs. 4.5 billion due to commuter delays. It is said that the factors responsible for this loss are unprofessionalism, regulatory lapses and politicisation.

It is apparent that incompetent regulatory systems were one of the main reasons for the inefficient public transport system. Sri Lanka has the National Transport Commission (NTC) and Provincial Councils as regulatory authorities. This means that there is constant friction between the two parties. There are 11 transport ministers in Sri Lanka — eight provincial and three central government ministers. This complicated regulatory system is one reason for the lack of timetables in public transport.

An efficient transport system connecting economic centres countrywide will also assist in the transport of goods, reduce wastage and bring down the cost of living. These are all essential components of transport development. Reducing strikes and providing smooth access is the least that the transport authorities can do to reduce the hardship of the people.