Semi-luxury bus service charade to end next month

Semi-luxury bus operators have been given the option of converting their services to a super-luxury or normal service by the Transport Ministry, instead of eliminating their services from next month.

Already necessary directives have gone out to this effect.

Since 2018, the National Transport Commission (NTC) had unsuccessfully sought to suspend the semiluxury bus service on several occasions, following complaints.

Passengers have long complained that the semi-luxury bus operators offer regular services at a higher price with no additional facilities for commuters.

Statistics reveal that roughly about 1,600 public complaints are received annually against the semiluxury bus service: the highest number of complaints compared to other types of luxury services.

Passengers complain that these buses operate without air-conditioning. The body is usually built on hard-sprung truck chassis without comfortable seats. Yet, they charge higher fees under the semi-luxury category by simply putting a few curtains with a buildup of dust.

According to the ministry, about 430 buses are operated under the semi-luxury category largely on inter-provincial routes.

In a statement, the ministry said the owners were asked whether they wanted to upgrade the service to the super luxury category or downgrade to regular service.

It said the change would be done without adding any additional service or administration charges.

Private Bus Owners’ Association chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said that it had no objection to the NTC move to scrap the semi-luxury category from May.

All Ceylon Bus Passengers Association also welcomed the decision given the large number of passenger complaints over the years.