LNP – New criteria to be introduced to enhance quality standards for private, SLTB buses

While drawing attention to the frequent road accidents caused by buses, the Transport and Highways Ministry plans to prepare and implement a set of criteria for passenger transport buses, including both private buses and those operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). Â

Transport Deputy Minister Prasanna Kumara Gunasena told the Daily Mirror that a discussion was held recently to improve the quality and service standards of these buses. Â

“The buses must not include unwanted modifications,” he said. Â

The public is dissatisfied with the current state of both private and SLTB bus services, as they are not adequately suited for passenger transport, he said. Â

“Some immediate measures have been identified, such as removing items added to the front of buses—such as garlands, plastic flowers, toys, balloons, plastic balls and other decorations—that obstruct the driver’s visibility. A decision has been made to implement these measures within a week. Â

“The curtains in buses are not clean; they are often not washed after being installed. The noise emitted by devices such as radios disturbs both drivers and passengers. Some buses have seats that do not comply with proper standards, with insufficient space between them or overly cramped seating. Unnecessary stickers on buses also pose problems. We will address these issues when formulating new standards,” he explained. Â

Certain criteria can be implemented as soon as the policies are finalised, while others may require a timeframe of one to six months for compliance. Â

“Measures will be taken to ensure all criteria are considered during the issuing of revenue licenses, along with the introduction of a random inspection system. Â

“The legal framework for implementing these changes is expected to be completed within a month. Most buses currently in operation are built using lorry chassis, which are unsuitable for passenger transport. It is essential to import buses specifically designed for this purpose. Â

“To address this, the upcoming budget will allocate funds to import 1,000 low-floor buses without burdening the t
Treasury. These buses will be financed through bank loans assigned to depots, with revenue generated from operations used to settle the loans. Â

Currently, the SLTB operates around 5,000 buses, far below the required 7,700 needed for smooth transportation. Of these, only 450 are new buses, while the majority are over 15 years old. Â

As a final step, the Ministry plans to merge the timetables of the National Transport Commission (NTC) and SLTB to ensure continuous bus operations around the clock and throughout the year. Â

The new standards are expected to be introduced and implemented within a month, with compliance checked during the license renewal process and through random inspections, he added.