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New buses, trains rejuvenate neglected transport network
 

The significant progress achieved by Transport and the Railway Ministries during the past one year is commendable. The development plans of these two sectors were pledges made by the `Mahinda Chintanaya' and was fully endorsed by the people.

The Government during its first quarter implemented the National Transport Policy with the sole objective of improving both railway and the bus transport sectors. The authorities focused their attention towards these sectors, since the two will directly help to carry out future development plans.

Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie's first duty was his plan to import 5,000 buses phased out during the next three years and thus strengthen the bus transport sector in the urban and rural sectors.

The authorities were inundated with complaints about the transport services in the rural sector, which had been neglected by officials in the past.

During the first ten months of this year, Transport Ministry imported 803 Ashok Leyland and Tata buses from India out of which 620 buses were added to the present service. Another 613 buses will be imported before December under a loan granted by the Government of India.

The Ministry has also decided to purchase another lot of 584 buses next year, in order to meet the growing demand.

Meanwhile the Railways Ministry on a directive from Minister Fowzie studied a special proposal to import new railway engines and carriages from Rumania. Five engines and several carriages were imported and pressed into service. Another set of used carriages were repaired at the Railway workshop at Ratmalana.

The Ministry also implemented a program to provide railway free passes (warrants) to elderly people to enable them to go on pilgrimages every year. The Ministry has also taken steps to sell Rs. 1,000 worth monthly season ticket for Rs. 500, to the elders.

It has also been proposed to lay a new railway track to Mihintale, in addition to the existing one, and the Ministry hopes to extend the line to Trincomalee.

Another railway line will be constructed between Colombo and Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at a cost of Rs. 156 million. The construction will commence by next year, in collaboration with Wang Shu Railcar Company, which it will be completed within a period of two years. The objective is to provide a better passenger service for locals and foreigners who travel between Colombo and Katunayaka Airport.

The Transport Ministry has also focused its attention towards the development of bus services in remote areas. Accordingly three new concepts `Gemi Seriya', `Sisu Seriya' and `Nisi Seriya' were iniated.

Under the `Gemi Seriya' program, ten new roads were constructed during the first ten months of this year. Another 25 roads will be constructed next year for the benefit of population in the remote sector who face hardships due to lack of roads and transport services.

The `Sisu Seriya' program was commenced for the benefit of schoolchildren and teachers. Under this program 70 new buses were added to the present fleet in 2006. Meanwhile steps have also been taken to deploy an additional 100 school buses during 2007.

Minister Fowzie also paid special attention on late evening passenger services. It was brought to this notice that only a few buses operate in the urban areas after 6.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. in the rural areas.

Accordingly the objective of starting the `Nisi Seriya' program is to provide a continuous night passenger services. The Ministry has already started night passenger services on 15 routes. Another night bus service will operate along 20 routes in the City of Colombo and urban areas.

The Transport Ministry has also drawn a plan to provide fuel to public transport services, especially buses, trains and trishaws at a concessionary prices. The objective of such plan is to bring down the bus fares, charged by buses and trishaws. Train services for schoolchildren were also pressed into operation on the main, coastal, Chilaw and Kelani Valley railway lines.

The Ministry also finalised a program to commence train - bus joint services at change-over points such as Hatton, Kalutara, Nanu Oya, Kollupitiya, Galle, Matara, Ambalangoda, Rambukkana, Veyangoda, Polgahawela and Gampaha. The Railways has also made arrangements to improve the railway line from Trincomalee to Batticaloa and the feasibility report is now being studied by the project assessment committee.

The Motor Traffic Department which also comes under the purview of the Ministry of Transport, carry out fractions like registration of motor vehicles, registration of ownership transfers of vehicles, issuing of driving licences and amending or/and implementing motor traffic regulations. During the first ten months of this year, 223,079 motor vehicles, including motor cycles and trishaws were registered by the Department.

The Minister has also plans to introduce a driving licence, with a new format.

The report on the development of the Colombo-Kandy main railway line including the Kandy-Gampola-Kadugannawa railway triangle has been finalised and forwarded to the National Planing Department, where it has also proposed to construct a double railway track between Kandy and Peradeniya.

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