Commuters unhappy with behaviour of bus crew

Pulse of the People by Ananda Kannangara

The Sunday Observer last week sought the views of commuters on their experience while travelling in buses. Here are excerpts:

School boy Bathiya Amarasekara feels that playing radios and cassette players in private buses give a terrible headache while travelling and demands that it is high time it is banned.

"It is a pity we cannot even run through our text books," he lamented.

A private sector employee Devika Amarasekara condemned the behaviour of some conductors in private buses.

"The conductors are in the habit of moving from front to back and so forth collecting the fare which is thoroughly inconvenient.

"Actually they should stay put in one place and issue tickets like how the CTB conductors do," she said.

Gayani Chathurika of Kosgoda wants the officials to check on bus drivers who keeps the bus in motion while passengers are boarding.

A daily commuter from Doranagoda, Gampaha, Sumith Samarasinghe wants the transport officials to enforce a rule for the private bus owners to operate buses up to 11.00 pm.

"It will be of benefit to workers, especially women who work late at Garment factories."

Owner of a beauty parlour Nisansala Gamage wants total ban on music.

"Normally I like to read books while travelling, but the blaring music makes your journey a miserable one," she complained.

A 35 year old bus conductor Piyasiri Satharasinghe said that except for a handful, majority of the passengers love music in buses, especially in the long distance buses.

"Therefore I appeal to the authorities not to pay much attention to this demand," he said.

Ranga Joseph of Mattakkuliya is satisfied that travelling with music on as "it gives a little pleasure."

"I have no objection to music but keep their eyes open to see whether the music in the name of pleasure does not tarnish the culture of our society," he said.

A student of the Sabaragamuwa University Kanthilatha Wickramasooriya wants the officials to deploy separate buses for ladies as at times it has become a traumatic experience travelling with perverted men.

School teacher Erandathi Mahanama of Homagama was also of the opinion that officials should ban radio and cassettes in public transport.

"Sometimes it is difficult for us to even run through a newspaper ," she complained.

A private sector female employee Manjula Jayasinghe said " Some conductors intentionally fall all over us, under the pretext of issuing tickets,".

"Therefore, I appeal to the officials to admonish them , so that they do not repeat same," she said.

A banker, Kumudumali Gunawardana of Moratuwa wants more seats for the elderly, the disabled and expectant mothers.

Housewife Kamalika Peiris reiterated the common cry of "females only," buses at least, during the peak hours in the mornings and evenings.

Nimalasiri Jayalath, employed at a mercantile bank said that some drivers have got into the habit of idling at bus halts at their own whims and fancies.

"The authorities must put a stop to this practice and ensure a move on rule, soon after passengers have boarded the buses," he said.

A Police officer who wished to remain anonymous wants the transport officials to deploy plainclothed police officers in buses, so that reckless drivers could be brought to book.