• Urges Govt. to expedite digitalisation efforts  

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) yesterday (10) expressed its frustration that it is yet to receive the Transport Ministry’s approval to install a walkie-talkie system in private buses in order to combat harassment reported within the vehicles.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (10), LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that this project would be launched in weeks to come with the support of a private sector company.

He also said that even though the LPBOA had requested the approval of the Ministry of Transport and Highways for this project, the Ministry was yet to grant it.

He further stated that they hoped to discuss this proposal with the Police Department with a view to getting maximum support of law enforcement authorities to make the project very productive.

Accordingly, all private buses will be equipped with the Global Positioning System (GPS) as passengers can make their complaints to the nearest police station or to the National Transport Commission by pressing a button fixed inside the bus.  

Wijeratne noted that the Government would have to be more efficient in supporting such a progressive move, which is very important when it comes to the safety of passengers who use private transport media. He also said that only a small amount of money had to be paid to the company that owned the technology; therefore it would be cheaper in cost, and a very good investment for the modernisation of the country’s transport system.

He added that the Government should expedite its measures to introduce a transit card and e-ticketing system. He also said that the Transport Ministry should listen to domestic investors and other stakeholders instead of taking advice from foreign countries and companies which do not have a proper understanding about the local transport sector.

Several attempts made by The Daily Morning to contact Transport and Highways Ministry Secretary Priyantha Mayadunne proved futile.