SC directs WPTA to formulate regulations for bus crew

by Chitra Weerarathne

The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Western Province Transport Authority to formulate regulations and prepare uniforms for drivers and conductors in consultation with the National Transport Commission, the Sri Lanka Transport Board and the Private Bus Owners' Association.

The WPTA was also directed to formulate regulations for the use of ticketing machines in conformity with the conditions of the National Transport Commission. The WPTA will give financial assistance for the purchase of the ticketing machines.

The regulations are to be implemented by August 1, and the National Transport Commission will prescribe a hot-line to be used by the public in the event of breach of the Highway Code, by any heavy vehicle and bus.

The directions were issued by the Court when the fundamental rights
violation application filed by Geethani Wijesinghe was called yesterday. The petition also pointed out air pollution caused by traffic congestion in Colombo and the suburbs.

The Deputy Solicitor General Bimba J. Tilakaratne, who appeared for the State, tendered to the Court the updated traffic plan for Colombo and the Greater Colombo areas.

Gamunu Wijeratne, the Chairman of the Private Transport Association, agreed to work out a timetable for the operation of buses along the routes in Colombo and suburbs.

This is to be done in consultation with the NTC and the SLTB. A meeting is to be held on July 1, and the SLTB has been directed to send an officer who could decide on its behalf. Gamunu Wijeratne, agreed to modify the silencers of buses, starting with the ones running on the Colombo, Kandy route. Surveys had shown that 48 percent of the buses have defective silencers. The case is to be called again on July 29, 2008.

The Bench comprised the Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, Justice Shirani Tilakawardene and Justice K. Sripavan.