• Plans to scrap non-profitable buses

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) plans to increase long distance bus services and remove non-profitable buses from the fleet by 2025 in a move to increase profits, the Ministry of Transport and Highways said yesterday (25).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Secretary to the Ministry, Priyantha Mayadunne said that the plans were part of a process by the SLTB to improve profits of their depots by 2025.

“We have plans to gain profits from the SLTB depot by implementing more long distance travelling buses and discontinuing any non-profitable buses by 2025. More objectives will be brought out in the future to gain more profits for the government through the SLTB depots,” Mayadunne said, adding that the targets will also be reached by merging SLTB depots as necessary,” he stated.

Addressing the media on Saturday (24), the Minister of Transport and Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardana emphasised that 54 new buses worth over Rs. 550 Million (Mn) will be distributed to the SLTB depot to enhance public transport services in the North Western province.

“Out of the 500 buses received by the country under the Indian credit loan, the Kurunegala area received the largest number of buses. In the face of the economic crisis, these buses were obtained in the midst of many inconveniences to streamline the facilities of school students, the elderly, and government employees who rely on public transport services. A correct solution to an economic crisis cannot be provided by political archetypes carried out with political goals in mind. For that, the government is implementing a more planned program. Organisations such as the Paris Club, and countries like India, Japan and China, who provide support to Sri Lanka at all times, are constantly discussing the matter and taking necessary measures. There should be a formal reorganisation of government institutions to solve the problems faced by the country. By addressing corruption and irregularities, we can work with a goal to bring these institutions to a position where they do not incur losses,” the Minister claimed.

Recently, the CTB conducted a series of raids and investigations on depots island-wide which revealed many financial irregularities. “We are working to take legal action against the people involved,” the Minister added.

He revealed that by implementing a system of issuing tickets at the beginning of the journey without conductors in the buses of the Southern Expressway, it would be possible to get an additional income of about Rs. 580,000 per day.

“I believe that the income of SLTB can be increased significantly in a very short period of time by further formalising such measures and converting to a digital system,” the minister stated.