Transport management task force to regulate public transport system

Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday appointed a ‘Commuter Transport Management Task Force’ to further regulate the public transport system to provide more facilities and benefits to passengers while adhering to health and security advisories.

“The main objective of this task force is to provide immediate solutions to commuters who use trains, SLTB and private buses for their travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The task force is expected to find spot solutions to day to day issues in the public transport and propose short term, mid term and long term solutions to the problems in the public transport system,” Minister Amaraweera said.

The public are requested to dial Chairman of the task force on 011 2187233, Secretary on 071 4410568 or the Ministry on 011 2187200. Fax number is 011 2865093.

The 21 member task force chaired by the Secretary of the Transport Ministry Gamini Seneviratne and the Secretary J. M. Tilakaratne Bandara.

Meanwhile, about 15 trains that reached Colombo Fort and Maradana had commuters to the seating capacity. Railways stations started to issue tickets to train commuters yesterday.

Private and SLTB buses also transported a higher number of passengers as they had been allowed to take passengers to the seating capacity.

The Chairman of the SLTB Kingsley Ranawaka said the SLTB had deployed about 3,700 buses countrywide for passenger transport including inter provincial services.