 Over to you Minister of
Transport and Chairman National Transport Commission
On July 6, 2007, I boarded a private bus bound for Fort from
Weligampitiya junction.
The old fare from Weligampitiya to Colombo was Rs. 19 and the new
fare according to your table published in the Daily News of July 4, 2007
is Rs. 22. But the conductor demanded Rs. 23.
On July 7, 2007 I boarded the bus bearing no. 62-6500, route no. 240
bound Negombo, at Weligampitiya junction. The old fare from
Weligampitiya to Negombo was Rs. 17.
The new fare according to your table published in the Daily News is
Rs. 20, but the conductor demanded Rs. 24.
On my return journey from Negombo to Weligampitiya the conductor of
the bus bearing no. WP-GE-9834 demanded Rs. 25. All these conductors
said that they have subsequently received a revised bus fare list.
I feel that the conductors are exploiting the situation on revised
bus fares.
Although you said in your notice published on July 4, 2007 that stern
action will be taken against any operator who charges fares in excess of
the approved fare, there is no one to check this.
On June 3, 2006 the Daily News carried a news item from Chairman,
National Transport Commission under the heading ‘Sweeping changes to
private bus service’.
But where are the changes? The only change that has taken place is an
increasing in the bus fares.
Since the private buses were introduced in 1970s passengers have been
at the mercy of the bus operators and their crew.
When can we expect some relief?
T. J. VICTOR SILVA - Ja-Ela |
