Private bus operators fume over lack of support

Private bus operators say the proposed new pre-paid travel card for private bus commuters would help minimise the current losses incurred by bus owners in the collection of change from passengers.

The Private Bus Operators’ Association (PBOA) however, is critical of the Private Transport Ministry for its failure to help introduce the pre-paid travel card.

Head of the PBOA Gemunu Wijeratne has said that although the pilot project on the pre-paid travel card is to be launched on 24 September, the Ministry has failed to extend its fullest support to the endeavour.

He has said the project that has the approval of the Central Bank could be a success if the authorities extended their support to introduce the pre-paid card system.  According to Wijeratne, the private bus industry suffers annual losses of more than Rs.13 billion due to the current system of collecting bus change from the commuters.(Colombo Page)