Tackling the transport problem as life limps back
In the light of the deadly ‘Corona virus’, we need to find long term solutions to alleviate the problem of transport of office workers and school children in conditions that will not bring about ‘community transmission’.
The following simple, cost saving steps could be implemented after convincing the respective trade unions of the dire long-term need for a ‘paradigm shift’ in our lifestyles.
Office workers
1) Deploy them in their respective offices closest to their residences within the district.
This will reduce inter-district travel and employees also will save time, energy and money while getting the opportunity to engage in better family life and part- time earning activities such as cultivation. 2) Introduce flexi-hours for both public and private sector workers. This will reduce rush hour traffic, ‘over-loading’ and traffic congestion resulting in fuel saving and better time management. 3) Expand current arrangements for ‘working from home’ by embracing technology and giving targets/ assignments. This will improve productivity of staff while reducing over-loading and traffic congestion. 4) Make train/bus season tickets available on- line or for purchase at designated supermarkets/shops as is done in other countries so that the work load and the health risk to the conductor/ticket collector can be drastically reduced. In many countries the issue of tickets is handled by the driver. 5) Factories/public/private sector institutions can be encouraged with incentives to provide van/bus transport to their employees wherever possible. When the above steps are implemented, the transport sector, would be in a position to deliver a satisfactory service to the commuters.
Schoolchildren
1) The elusive policy requirement to send children to schools in their locality has to be implemented forthwith. This will surely reduce traffic congestion on the main roads. In that scenario, the school bus/van service can be confined to the locality and the need for parents to drop their children at school before leaving to office will also become redundant. Parents/children will face lesser travelling risks and save time and money which can be spent on studies, homework and extra-curricular activities.
2) Schools should adjust their opening times in keeping with the flexi-office hours of the public/private sectors.
I am confident the President who possesses the political will and professional skill, will implement these measures which will improve our security, health safety, productivity and discipline leading to a prosperous Sri Lanka.
Bernard Fernando
Moratuwa