Thursday, August 18, 2011

‘Footboard travel’ kills nearly 50 - NTC

By Lal Gunasekera

Nearly 50 deaths occur on the roads due to ‘footboard travel’, says, the National Transport Commission (NTC).

It says that of 2,500 bus accidents reported from around the country, about 50 deaths are due to passengers travelling on the footboard. One of the main reasons for bus accidents is the competition between the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses, according to NTC.

Director of the NTC Vipula Hewa Walimuni said that since 1995 there had been a combined timetable for buses in the Southern Province.

He was speaking at a workshop conducted in the Sabaragamuwa Province under the patronage of Chief Minister Maheepala Herath.

The SLTB fleet accounted for 60 per cent of the buses and commuters could enjoy a much better service if they could work together, the Chief Minister said.

Secretary to the Ministry of Private Bus Services Victor Samaraweera said that until a combined transport timetable was prepared, new route permits should be issued only by the NTC.

Also present were Deputy Chairman of SLTB, L. A. Wimalaratne, officials from the Transport Sector of the Sabaragamuwa PC.

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