Transit shelter for commuters

by Irangika RANGE

The Government has taken measures to construct the first transit shelter (Colombagedara) to house stranded passengers in the city of Colombo at night on a special directive by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The centre is meant for the welfare and security of commuters stranded at dusk.

A Colombo University survey has revealed that between 100 to 125 passengers get stranded per week in Colombo at night. Therefore, the Government's move to construct this centre to ensure the security of them is a timely action, said Transport Minister Dallus Alahapperuma.

Minister Alahapperuma was laying the foundation stone for a new transit house last Sunday at the stores premises situated close to the Colombo Fort Railway Station.

Addressing the gathering the Minister said that passengers, who arrive in Colombo from various parts of the country, are unable to complete their tasks within one day and get stranded. Most of them take shelter inside bus-stand and the Fort and Maradana Railway Stations.

Not only girls, even mothers had been raped while being so stranded with no proper security and protection in these places. The new overnight shelters will have all necessary security and protecting for the passengers, who get stranded. This concept was initially mooted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the benefit of the travelling public. HUBEI, a Chinese company which provides new railway engines and power sets to our Railway has provided Rs. 50 million for the project.

This two storied transit location comprises 150 beds and will accommodate men and women separately. The construction work of the project is due to be completed by December next year.

A bus ticket or the railway ticket with the date of issue will be considered for admission while a nominal Rs 100. will be charged by one passenger.

Passengers can have a bath and the washing machines are there to wash their clothes. This will be the best hub for passengers to stay their nights with high protection and freedom. The Centre will be open to passengers from 5 p.m. and close at 10 a.m.This is a novel concept implemented with the welfare of the travelling public in mind in keeping with the social responsibility of the Government. We invite donors and well-wishers to help in the maintenance of Colombagedera, he said.

Ninety two percent of the local commuters use the public transport in the country while only 8 per cent use their own vehicles.

The transport sector was in collapse as number of political influences, frauds and corruption, strikes and salary anomalies were in the system.

During this two-year period we were able to bring the Sri Lanka passenger community to the highest level in the transport service despite the number of challenges. Transport Minister Dallus Alahapperuma lays the foundation stone for the Colombagedara.