Private bus service, a cog in the wheel – Minister C.B.Rathnayake

*Private bus operators render immense service

*Discipline among private bus drivers should be strictly maintained

*Opportunity for passengers to travel without hindrance vital

*Cancel route permits of wehicles that violate road rules

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Private Transport Services Minister, C.B. Rathnayake said the decision taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to remove Customs duty and VAT on bus imports and reduce duty on spare parts is a welcome step taken by the Government for the benefit of the private bus industry. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said to safeguard the private bus industry, some relief should be granted to private bus owners to purchase spare parts and import buses. Amidst criticism and complaints, private bus operators are doing an immense service to passengers.

Minister Rathnayake said at present the private bus industry has turned into a monopoly. If a new bus enters a route, permit holders oppose.

But if there is a public requirement, new route permits should be issued to deploy buses on those roads. Otherwise, it would be a injustice to passengers. When more roads are constructed, there should be enough buses for passengers to travel on these roads. Therefore certain amendments have to be made on existing rules and regulations by giving the opportunity to passengers to travel without any hindrance.

The Minister said discipline among private bus drivers should be strictly maintained. Otherwise, whatever roads or highways are constructed, it would be difficult to control speed limits.

The Minister stressed the importance of taking steps to cancel route permits of buses which have violated road rules. A decision has been taken to cancel the route permit of any bus involved in an accident where a passenger has lost his life and cancelling the driving licence of the driver.

Q: Will more private buses be deployed on the Southern expressway to cater to public demand?

A: If there is public demand, the Ministry is ready to fulfil the requirement.

Two private buses have already been deployed on the Southern Expressway. We have called for tenders to deploy private buses. We hope to grant permission for another two private buses to operate on the Southern Expressway shortly.

Q: For the Southern Expressway there is a joint timetable for public (CTB) and private buses. Can you extend this to more routes?

A: Definitely. Our intention is to run private buses on all routes under this joint timetable. If this trend continues further, passengers will have to face various hardships.

We could see how the sudden railway strike launched on Wednesday affected passengers.

The people then find it difficult to return to their homes due to these sudden train and bus strikes.

In case of a sudden railway strike, if we inform private bus operators, they take immediate measures to provide transport facilities even without considering their schedule turns. Sometimes there may be problems. Even in the case of an emergency requirement, semi luxury buses cannot be allowed to be overloaded so that it would set a precedent.

If there is a standard rule, it should be implemented properly. However, more CTB and private buses were deployed to overcome the hardship faced by commuters owing to Wednesday’s sudden train strike.

My point of view is that it is very unfair to resort to this kind of sudden train or bus strike. What would be the end result of this unjustifiable move? I have decided to discuss with Provincial Councils and the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) to run CTB and private buses throughout the country under a joint timetable.

Q: There are a lot of allegations that there is corruption in the issue of route permits. What steps are you taking to eliminate such activities?

A: I refute this allegation that route permits are issued in a fraudulent manner. This is an allegation levelled since the inception of the private bus service in Sri Lanka. Sometimes this may be an allegation levelled by some private bus associations for their existence.

I categorically say there is no way to give route permits in a fraudulent manner. The route permit which was given for Rs. 3,000 those days is now given only after calling for tenders.

Through a Cabinet memorandum, it has been decided to give route permits to buses to operate on the Jaffna route. But some buses are operating on the Jaffna route in an illegal manner. Those who have obtained permits have to pay while others are running buses in a fraudulent manner.

Route permits have now been given on the Jaffna route who plied without route permits. If somebody has initiated a conspiracy to tarnish my image on this issue, I would like to take corrective measures. At present, the private bus industry has also become a monopoly.

If a new bus comes into a route, the permit holders oppose to it. If there is a public requirement, it should be able to provide new route permits.

Otherwise it would be an injustice to passengers. If more roads are constructed , there should be enough buses for passengers. We have to make certain amendments on existing rules and regulations by providing the opportunity to passengers to travel without any hindrance.

Q: Recently the Government removed Customs duties and VAT on bus imports and also reduced a duty on spare parts. How will this benefit the private bus industry?

A: This is a huge encouragement to the private bus industry. To safeguard the private bus industry, some relief should be given to private bus owners to purchase spare parts and import buses without VAT. At present private bus owners are doing an immense service to the people. If private bus operators stop what would happen to public transport? It is an offence to give and take bribes.

The private bus industry is moving forward without being a burden to the Treasury. Employment has been given as a result of the private bus industry.

There are 22,800 private buses in the country. If we take the number of drivers, conductors and owners of these buses, it is approximately 70,000.

We cannot allow the private bus industry to collapse. The Government must provide faciltieis to take this industry forward. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to remove duty and VAT on bus imports and reduce duty on spare parts as a welcome step taken on behalf of private bus owners.

Q: Private bus operators have been demanding another fare hike. What is the solution to this?

A: There is no ability to increase bus fares haphazardly. There is an accepted formula. To increase bus fares, 12 facts have to be fulfilled and the percentage should also be increased.

After conducting a comprehensive study, a decision on a fare hike could be considered by June this year. At that time, steps will be taken to provide relief to private bus operators. If the price of diesel is increased, there is a criteria to follow before bus fares are revised.

In a situation where prices of spare parts have dropped, if the price of diesel is increased by a certain amount, then the percentage to increase bus fares does not tally.

Although the price of diesel has increased, the prices of spare parts have been drastically reduced, interest rates for private buses have also been reduced.

Therefore the Government has provided a series of concessions to private bus operators. When bus fares are revised, we have to consider all the relief measures as well.

Q: Has the colour coding for normal, semi luxury, luxury and super luxury been successful?

A: The colour coding system is successful. As a result of this, people are able to identify the buses. Colour coding has been displayed inside and outside buses, passengers must be aware of the colour coding. There are occasions where semi luxury rates are charged by normal buses.

Q: Private buses are responsible for many accidents. What steps are being taken to ensure road discipline among private bus drivers?

A: Discipline among private bus drivers should be strictly maintained. Otherwise whatever roads or highways are constructed, speed limits on these roads could not be maintained. Steps should be taken to cancel route permits of buses which violate road rules.

Any bus driver responsible for the death of a passenger, a decision has been taken to cancel the route permit of the bus rather than cancelling the driving licence of the driver.

We have also asked private bus owners to take trained drivers and conductors equipped with the certificate issued by the National Transport Commission(NTC). If any diver commits a serious offence, steps will be taken to cancel the certificate issued by the NTC preventing him from being employed.

Q: We have seen a lot of school van accidents recently. Is there anyway that the private bus sector could be involved in deploying more school buses which are much safer than these small school vans?

A: With certain amendments made to the NTC act, in future we are going to provide necessary guidance to those who want to purchase buses to transport schoolchildren. We intend to introduce school buses for school transport with one specific colour. When a special colour is introduced for school buses, a normal bus cannot overtake to school bus.

Q: Despite repeated assurance, many private bus conductors don’t issue tickets to commuters, they are rude to passengers and don’t even dress in their uniform. What is being done to address these problems?

A: I think arrangements should be made to provide a uniform to private bus drivers and conductors in a formal manner. Earlier certain problems had arisen when uniforms were provided to them.

The necessary environment should be created for private bus drivers and conductors to wear the uniform. We have decided to issue a circular to all Provincial Councils to make its compulsory for conductors to wear the uniform.

Q: The biggest grievance to commuters is the snail-pace driving by the private bus drivers. They stop the bus at certain junctions and wait for 10-15 minutes till the bus is full. Why has no action been taken against them?

A: Now we have introduced GPS technology for private buses. The buses which have been installed with this facility should reach the final destination on time that we would be able to take a decision regarding the slow pace of driving. If the bus does not reach the destination on time, they will be automatically deprived of the next turn.

Q: Traffic jams are mainly due to private bus drivers who stop at any halt. Can’t this practise be stopped?

A: There are legal provisions and this is a task for the Police. It is up to the Police to deal with violation of road rules and environment pollution caused by the vehicles.

I believe the Police will fulfil this duty. At present the Police is dealing with such matters. However, if somebody makes a complain about any violation of road rules by private bus drivers, we can cancel the route permit. Therefore we request the Police to seek our assistance when dealing with such incidents.

Q: Any steps being taken to have more private buses on rural routes? Can any concessions be granted on certain routes which may not be very profitable?

A: Definitely. We have given concessions for the commencement of “Gemi Seriya”, “Sisu Seriya” and “Nisi Seriya” bus services. The “Nisi Seriya” means to provide transport facilities to passengers at night. At present, new roads are being constructed throughout the country.

We always committed to provide assistance to this kind of projects.

We invite those who are willing to operate their buses on these new roads to obtain the route permit from their respective Provincial Councils and come to the Ministry. Then we will provide them the opportunity to operate their buses under the “Gemi Seriya”, “Sisu Seriya” and “Nisi Seriya” projects.

Q: Are more private buses being deployed in the newly liberated parts of the North?

A: We have been informed to the Northern Province Governor in writing to provide this opportunity to those who are willing to deploy buses in newly liberated areas of the North. All other provinces where the Provincial Councils exists, the Transport Minister of that Provincial Council have been given powers to deal in this regard.

Q: Some of the private buses on some routes are very old and are not roadworthy. Is there a program to check road worthiness of private buses?

A: The vehicle emission test has been introduced for this purpose. This emission test certificate cannot be obtained in a fraudulent manner.

The Department of Motor Traffic and the Police should take responsibility in this regard. We would like to point out the shortcomings of private buses.

When the route permit of a bus is renewed, that bus is checked by the NTC. If that bus is not in good running condition, we don’t issue route permits. However, if any bus which is not roadworthy is on the road, there is a possibility to cancel the annual revenue licence of that bus.

We have to introduce strict rules and regulations to overcome this situation. Some problems may occur these rules are introduced.

Q: At present the 13th amendment has become the much debated topic in the political arena. As a Minister what is your view on this issue?

A: This is a matter which has to be thought of intelligently. India is our neighbouring country, while America and Europe are far away. I think we should not dance according to the whims and fancies of some foreign countries.

At present some of our political parties and politicians have become the mouthpiece of INGOs operated in America or other European countries. Some of these political parties and politicians are ready even to betray our freedom , territorial integrity and sovereignty for their temporary intention of grabbing power.

There are over 20 states in India. Adequate power has been devolved with wide powers vested in the Central governmen.

If we say that we will give powers far beyond 13th amendment , it would be a problem to India as well. As mentioned in the 13th amendment, necessary facilities should be provided to people in the North and East. The people in these two provinces don’t ask Police powers for them. However, certain elements attempt to misinterpret and cater to the needs of some INGOs and international forces.

SLFPers, UNPers or JVPers have no other country to live.

We should take decisions by thinking of our motherland. That is why whatever pressure and obstacles were made, President Mahinda Rajapaksa took the bold decision to end the war against terrorists.

War heroes who made an immense sacrifice to eradicate terrorism have now given their effective contribution towards the development drive launched by the Government. This is a very good example set by them. I would like to tell those who attempt to take undue advantage from this issue not to derive vicarious pleasure. We should move forward within our boundaries.

Q: If the President has proposed to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to discuss the problems faced by the people in the North and the East, the Opposition does not seem to keen or extend their support towards this. What is your comment?

A: If some of our political parties and politicians are catering to the interests of some foreign elements with the backing of some INGOs, then how can we expect justice? This justice can only be expected if they love their motherland.

Whatever problems or issues are there in India which has more than 20 provinces, all Indians feel for their country.

President’s move to defeat terrorism and restore peace in the country has inculcated a feeling of togetherness. Once again, party politics have come forward. We have to take decisions by thinking of the future generations. Everybody should be committed to safeguard the freedom we gained by making many sacrifices.

Q: Don’t you think there should be a vibrant opposition to ensure democracy?

A: The lack of a vibrant opposition is not a healthy trend in a democratic country. But the Government has no ability to give life to the Opposition.

The Opposition should conduct an extensive dialogue to sort out their problems. We should not forget that more than three million people have voted for the UNP. Earlier those who spoke about proletariats, today speak about AIDS in America.

We should not forget, the SLFP which was reduced to eight seats in the past and has been able to be in power for the highest number of years more than the UNP under their own constitution introduced by former President J.R. Jayewardene.

This has paved the way for the Government to successfully to turn Sri Lanka into being the “Wonder of Asia”. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has given the leadership to the SLFP is the same leader who defeated terrorism.

The people gave a resounding mandate to the SLFP in 1994. If a political party identifies grievances of the people and turned its attention to rural development, it can successfully move forward. As a Government, we have the ability to successfully move forward. If the Opposition cannot rally round it is because of a weakness in the leadership.