• SLTB to expand pilot project to Katunayake Highway 

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has recorded an income of Rs.583,000 compared to the previous week as a result of the pilot project of operating buses on the Southern Expressway without conductors which was initiated on Monday (19), The Daily Morning learnt.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (22), SLTB Chairman S.M.D.L.K.D. Alwis said that they understand the success of the project, and, therefore, hope to introduce this project to other parts of the country as well in order to prevent the malpractices of bus conductors.

“There are 11 SLTB depots in the Ruhuna region where we receive a total income of Rs. 12 million from. Buses are operated from five depots to Colombo via the Southern Expressway. The income of the SLTB has been increased by Rs. 583,000 by running buses without conductors in all the depots in the said region. This was a pilot programme implemented under the programme that we implemented to increase the income of other depots as well as highways,” he added.

Alwis also said that the SLTB expects to implement a similar programme on the Katunayake Expressway from next month (July) onwards and that accordingly, measures will be taken to run buses from Maharagama to Katunayake, Makumbura to Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Embilipitiya, Mattala and several other areas without a conductor. He said that this project was implemented as the SLTB had received many complaints regarding the malpractices of conductors, especially with regard to not issuing tickets.

He further said that the SLTB loses around Rs. 60-70 million per month due to the malpractices of conductors, which causes a loss of Rs. 700-800 million per year.