Comprehensive training for drivers and conductors
A passenger, MP Muthumenike Pix: Kavindra Perera |
How many of us have stepped out of the house in a cheerful mood. That
cheerfulness gets ruined the moment you stepped into a private bus due
to the harsh behaviour of a bus conductor.
There are over 18,000 private buses in the country according to the
National Transport Commission (NTC). Most of these conductors do not
have the patience to talk politely to passengers. Above all what most of
us have failed to understand is that they lack basic education to
engaged in such vocation that compels them to let their anger out on the
poor passenger.
Driver: Amitha Balapatabendi |
Conductor: Ruwan Prasad |
H.M.P Herath, Deputy Director, NTC explained that the NTC's objective
in conducting Comprehensive Training Programs for bus conductors and
drivers is to provide them with technical training and above all
hospitality.
Instructors from SLIDA as well as NTC trains the conductors and
drivers not only on driving, cleanliness and right speech, but also to
handle the load of passengers, giving proper balance and issuing
tickets. "The course has been continuing for a long period and the
response has been very good", said Shashi Welgama, Chairman NTC.
H.M.P Herath explained that the training course commenced in 1999 as
a World Bank funded project. Although initially this was conducted free
the NTC has been charging for the two-day training course since 2005.
The current cost of the course is Rs. 2,000. At the end of the training
and a written test on the second day, the successful candidates receive
an identification card issued from NTC as well as a certificate. "We
have already trained 5,000 people and 12,000 remaining."
Gemunu Wijeratne, President, Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners Association
(PBOA) said that he has nothing against the program, but undue training
is not necessary. "We have trained 2,900 free, he said. He told the
Sunday Observer that employees of the NTC make the training compulsory
for some drivers and conductors as 'personal punishments', due to their
bad behaviour."
H.M.P Herath explained that drivers and conductors of all
inter-provincial buses should carry the NTC issued IDs with them at all
times. Any driver or conductor without an ID is referred to the course
by the NTC Flying Squad. "The training is compulsory for all drivers and
conductors working in inter-provincial buses."
ID issued by the NTC |
Based on customer complaints and observations made by the NTC Flying
Squad conductors and drivers found guilty are penalised, explained
Shashi Welgama. "Our employers are striving to create a safer
environment for the passengers," and added that their action is not
based on personal grudges.
Some private bus owners have a different view about the decision made
by the NTC to make the course compulsory. A driver and a conductor of a
Panadura-Pettah bus, said that some dislike the course which I think is
'not so bad'.
Amitha Balapatabendi, "a Tengalle bus driver who had his training in
2009, he learned a lot through the training. People who criticise the
course abviously don't know anything about it,"
Ruwan Prasad, the conductor of the bus said that it was easy because
he received the training in Tengalle, his hometown.
"Such a training program for conductors and drivers is a good idea no
matter who says what" said M.P Muthumenike, a resident of Kandy.
"Passengers have to face a lot of difficulties due to the thoughtless
behaviour of some conductors and drivers." Chathura Perumal (20)a
resident of Mt. Lavinia said, We should give due respect to the
conductors and drivers as it's a very tough job that they do."
-SP
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