BY Dinitha Rathnayake
In the context where an additional quota of fuel under a separate quick response (QR) code system is being considered for three-wheelers, following complaints about the insufficient quota they receive at present, the Government is to commence identifying the three-wheelers in operation that are engaged in full-time passenger transport or accepting ‘hires’.
Speaking to The Morning, All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers Association President Lalith Dharmasekara said that this step was initiated after a discussion with the officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Ministry of Transport.
“During the discussion, the issue of the precise number of three-wheelers engaged in full-time passenger transport came up. There are more than 1.1 million three-wheelers in the country, but according to the Ministry of Power and Energy, only 900,000 are registered under the existing QR code system, while only 700,000 of them have obtained fuel so far. So, while we are very clear about the fact that the actual number of three-wheelers engaged in full-time passenger transport is very low; we don’t have the statistics to prove this,” Dharmasekara stated.
According to Dharmasekara, the identification of three-wheelers engaged in full-time passenger transport would commence in September.
It was reported that the Ministry of Power and Energy has informed the Ministry of Transport to hand over a report concerning the number of three-wheelers engaged in the passenger transport service on a full-time basis. The Ministry said that according to the reports, the fuel quota for the three-wheelers engaged in full-time passenger transport will be increased.
Three-wheeler drivers are complaining that their current weekly quota – five litres of fuel – is wholly insufficient for a week’s travel. Dharmasekara said that they request at least five litres daily for six days of the week, which amounts to a total of 30 litres per week. “Three-wheelers engaged in work for companies like PickMe and Uber run 250 km per day, and they work for 12-14 hours. So, the daily requirement is around 10 litres per day. Drivers at three-wheeler stands run for around 150 km per day, working for 8-12 hours. So, their need is at least six litres per day. Five litres is not enough for a week and therefore, we urge the Government to increase the quota for fuel. We are in turn ready to introduce a mobile app for this purpose,” Dharmasekara explained.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers this week gave approval to amend the Motor Traffic Act to include provisions to enable the registration of electric three-wheelers. The proposal to this effect, submitted by Transport Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana was approved by Cabinet on Monday (8).
As the three-wheeler passengers face unfair and exorbitant fares, the Government is looking to expedite plans to regulate the three-wheeler passenger transport service under the National Transport Commission (NTC).
“We will come up with a mechanism to regulate the three-wheeler passenger service under the NTC, within a month,” Gunawardana said at the weekly press briefing to announce Cabinet decisions.
Full-time ‘hire’ tuks to be identified
12 Aug 2022
Full-time ‘hire’ tuks to be identified
12 Aug 2022
Kapruka
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!