Over 1,000 SLTB buses deployed after repairs

by L.S. Ananda Wedaarachchi

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has repaired over 1,000 buses and deployed them for passenger transport during the past three month SLTB Chairman W.D. Bandusena said.The buses had been languishing at SLTB depots due to various engine and mechanical defects.

One-hundred-and-four SLTB buses were put on the roads after being repaired and sent to 104 depots to mark President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s birthday last month, he said.

”We have targeted a fleet of 7,000 buses. New buses will be provided to bus depots on the understanding that the monthly leasing instalments in respect of such buses should be paid regularly by the depot authorities.

The depots will be solely responsible to settle their dues on the lease to the supplier and not the Treasury or the Ministry”, he said.

Budget 2011 also allocated funds to purchase 500 small buses to be used on rural roads.

We are committed to provide a satisfactory bus service to the commuters, the Chairman said.