Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake says an 85-point proposal to ensure road safety will be enforced from 01 July, with a key focus on public and private buses.
Minister Rathnayake said that the measures include mandatory seat belts for government bus drivers, a WhatsApp complaint system for the public, and mandatory seat belts for passengers of vehicles travelling on highways.
He further said that following the implementation of these initial measures, the ministry will focus on further strengthening the relevant laws.
Minister Rathnayake also revealed that the ministry was considering introducing a social security system that grants a pension for private bus drivers, similar to public bus drivers.
“We have proposed a pension system for private drivers reaching the age of 55. We hope to introduce this system in the next year,” he said.
The Transport Minister further said that the ministry was working to combine both public and private buses operating in Kandy and the 138-route under a profit-sharing system.
“Bus racing is a key concern. Some private bus owners own just 01 or 02 buses. So, we have focused on the Kandy and 138 bus routes. We have commenced combining both private and public buses on these routes as one community. They will receive a portion of the day’s entire profit brought by all buses. We intend to introduce a profit-sharing method, similar to overseas,” he said.
Minister Rathnayake also said that bus drivers are being provided basic training, adding that 1000 bus drivers in 25 places in the country have been trained, and that the training program will continue.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake made the remarks while speaking to reporters today. (Newswire)