PUBLIC HAPHAZARD INCONVENIENCED DUE TO HALTING OF BUSES ALONG BY-ROADS

THE AFFECTED PUBLIC REQUEST THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION TO ARREST THIS SITUATION

Drivers and the passengers travelling by buses are facing inconvenience for want of halting places on by-roads in Panadura, Moratuwa, Wadduwa and Bandaragama areas.they pointed out that the private bus operators who were motivated with squeezing in more passengers, stop the bus at any place regardless of its inconvenience to drivers and passengers in other vehicles.

A resident of Kiriberiya in Panadura, Wasantha Gunasiri De Silva (34) said the people are in the habit of waiting for buses in front of their houses and the buses stop at anyplace along the road to board passengers without least concern for other vehicles.

“This creates heavy traffic jams at peak hours in the morning and in the evening. Drivers halt the buses at any place to board passengers standing at short intervals. Other vehicles have to follow the buses, being unable to overtake, fearing any head-on collision with oncoming vehicles. Thousands of people travelling to railway stations and to the main bus stands to catch long distance buses are often stranded,” he said.

An employee of a private sector establishment in Colombo stressed the need to install halting places at regular intervals on by-roads.

“Halting of buses in front of the houses to board passengers is a nuisance. I travel by bus from Hirana in Panadura to take the train at the Panadura railway station and I often miss the train. The bus moves very slowly to squeeze in more passengers waiting by the roadside. Most of the passengers are in the habit of coming to the road when they hear the sound of the bus,” he said.

A trishaw driver Sunimal Ranwala Arachchi (40) of Morontuduwa, Wadduwa said the drivers of other vehicles often had altercations with the drivers of buses obstructing the movement of private vehicles by stopping the buses to board passengers waiting in front of their houses.

“Passengers travelling by trishaws, on motorcycles, motorcars and even by buses are facing inconvenience when buses stop at short intervals for want of halting places.the local authorities and the police are responsible for it. Many accidents had occurred due to the rush created by stopping buses at short distances along the road,” he said.

The drivers of private vehicles, motorcyclists and the public requested the local authorities of their respective areas to install halting places at regular intervals to prevent the buses from haphazard boarding of passengers.

The people are in the habit of waiting for buses in front of their houses and the buses stop at anyplace along the road to board passengers without least concern for other vehicles