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Eliminate conductors, say private bus owners 

04 Feb 2021

  • Claim salaries can’t be maintained

  • Say technology must replace them

  Bus conductors must be made redundant from the bus service through the use of modern technology, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) told The Morning yesterday (3). LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said that private bus owners spend around Rs. 3,000 per day on a bus conductor as their daily wage but that such a position would soon become redundant with the incorporation of modern technology and the increasing difficulty they experience in paying their salaries. “We don’t need bus conductors if we implement technology into the bus system. The smart card system, for example, would reduce the risk of the spread of Covid-19 and the need for a conductor. We have to educate the public regarding this.” The use of currency notes and coins would increase the risk of the spread of Covid-19 among commuters that use public transport services, he added. “Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, we do not have a high number of passengers and our buses are running at low capacity. We had around 20,000 buses running before. Now it has reduced to 12,000. How are we supposed to pay the salaries? The Government needs to give proper solutions for this matter.” He added that the private bus sector should be restructured with a common transport body. However, speaking to The Morning yesterday, Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority Chairman Prasanna Sanjeewa said that the Government is not considering the removal of bus conductors and that that is not a solution for the prevailing problems. “We have around 12,000 conductors working in various routes and it would be unethical and unfair to eliminate them, and I also don’t think that there is a necessity to take that step.” According to Sanjeewa, the smart card system would also need conductors to provide guidance for passengers to use the smart card system. “We are considering a healthier solution which would train the conductors and sustain the service,” he added. When The Morning spoke to Ministry of Transport Secretary N.B. Monty Ranatunga yesterday, he also admitted that the private bus sector is facing issues due to the Covid-19 pandemic and that the Government is well aware of it. “We understand the current situation of the bus owners. However, we don’t think doing away with conductors is a solution, as it would create another issue.” According to Ranatunga, unemployment can be the next issue if the Government takes such a step. “A Cabinet of Ministers’ decision is underway for the smart card system, and we hope to contribute 0.03% of the share to the drivers and conductors from the revenue we get from the project, so the bus conductors might have some relief.” Ranatunga also stressed that the Government will not give up on the private bus sector and that it hopes to protect it.


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