The Parliamentary sub-committee of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation has held discussions on strengthening the existing legal framework to ensure the safety of passengers using public transport.

Discussions were held regarding proposals to strengthen the existing legal framework to ensure the safety of public transport, with special attention focused on the safety of bus passengers.

This sub-committee on “Strengthening the legal framework related to the transport sector and steering the transport sector in a positive direction” met recently (09 Apr) under the chairpersonship of MP Lakmali Hemachandra.

Accordingly, officials representing the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and several institutions under its purview participated in the sub-committee meeting. 

The need to regulate the procedure for issuing fitness certificates for public transport buses was emphasized during the meeting. Officials stated that under Section 29 of the Motor Traffic Act, these fitness certificates are issued for buses, lorries, and ambulances by garages registered under the Provincial Councils, without regulation from the Department of Motor Traffic. Due to issues concerning the standards and reliability of these garages, the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee stressed the need to establish a formal procedure for this purpose.

The necessity of enforcing “construction regulations” under Section 19 of the Motor Traffic Act was also discussed. Accordingly, detailed discussions were held regarding aspects such as the required spacing between seats, removal of unnecessary equipment, and installation of seat belts in both newly imported and existing buses for passenger safety.

Based on the relevant data and information, the Ministry of Transport was instructed to prepare a report with proposals on the measures to be implemented concerning passenger safety in public transportation and submit it to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport within two months.

Furthermore, attention was drawn to the necessary steps to enhance the professionalism of public transport drivers. Accordingly, the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee directed the National Transport Commission to submit proposals for the standardization of the driving profession within one month.

It was also instructed that data related to road accidents that occurred during the past three months be promptly submitted to the Sub-Committee. The Chairperson of the Sub-Committee emphasized the importance of preparing future recommendations based on this data.

Attention was also drawn to strengthening the necessary legal provisions for enforcing the law against the use of drugs by bus drivers. Officials mentioned that regulations relevant to this matter under the Motor Traffic Act are currently in the final stage of preparation. The need to promptly implement these regulations and to properly establish the technological mechanisms required to detect drug substances in the bodies of drivers was highlighted.

This Sub-Committee primarily examines possible short-term and long-term changes to laws and regulations related to the transport sector, following which a report containing the necessary recommendations is to be prepared. (Newswire)

The post Public transport passenger safety : New measures appeared first on Newswire.

The success of the government’s debt restructuring program will enable the Ministry of Transport and Highways to restart many projects that were halted during the last crisis, Secretary to the Ministry Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe said. 

Addressing a press briefing at the Presidential Media Centre on Monday (July 08), several officials from the public transportation sector gave details on the projects to be implemented in the near future. 

• Public Transport: 

Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe announced that an electronic ticketing system for public transport services, including trains, will be introduced by the end of this year.

He further said the highway toll payment system will also be electronic within a few months.

Preliminary discussions have been held with the Government of Japan regarding investment updates for the Light Railway Project (LRT). 

Simultaneously, negotiations are ongoing with the governments of China, India, and Japan for several new projects.

As a result, plans have been implemented to grow the transport and highway sector by 10%-15% over the next five years.

• Highway projects: 

Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Highways Eng. Ranjith Ganganath Rubasinghe said despite the economic crisis the country has faced, the government has allocated Rs.90 billion over the past two years solely for road development projects initiated before 2022. Of this amount, Rs.300 billion has been spent on contractors, and Rs.90 billion has been used for debt payments.

It is important to note that the success of the government’s debt restructuring program has been particularly satisfactory for the Ministry of Highways. This success will enable the restart of many projects halted during the last crisis. 

Especially, discussions have already begun for the early commencement of Phase 1 of the Central Expressway. Additionally, Phases 2 and 3 of the Central Expressway and the Ruwanpura Expressway project are expected to begin soon, with bilateral discussions underway regarding the completion of the elevated highways project in Athurugiriya, through financial investments. Public-private partnership investments are anticipated for these projects.

• Flyover constructions : 

Director General of the Road Development Authority (RDA), S.P.M. Suriya Bandara said the construction of the second phase of the flyover over the railway line connecting Kompannavidiya, Justice Akbar Mawatha, and Uttarananda Mawatha will be completed and handed over to the public next week. 

Additionally, the Kohuwala flyover is scheduled to be opened to the public next week. The work on the harbour entrance runway is also expected to be completed in the first half of September.

Thousands of projects are being implemented across the country under the Road Development Authority. Among these, 320 km of rural roads have been completed under the 1,000 km of rural roads project, which began last February, with the remaining roads set to be completed in August.

• Railway development : 

General Manager (Acting), Railways, Sanjaya Mudalige states the modernization of the Mahawa-Omanthai railway line will be completed in August, and the freight train service from Beliatta to Colombo will commence on the 15. This service will be available to farmers, businessmen, and others transporting goods to Colombo.

Plans are also underway to develop railway stations along the coastal line as multipurpose projects in collaboration with the private sector. Six railway stations, including Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya, are currently being developed accordingly.

To meet the demand for train engines, the Government of India has agreed to donate 20 train engines, with the first batch expected to arrive within two months.

• National Transport Commission : 

National Transport Commission Chairman, Shashi Welgama says under the National Transport Commission Act, we can currently regulate only buses. However, the Act has been amended to include the regulation of three-wheelers, school and office transport services, taxis, and more. 

The NTC is also preparing and implementing schedules for inter-provincial buses. 

The public can contact the customer care unit at 0712555555 and 1955 for assistance. This service allows passengers to file complaints and obtain information related to passenger transportation services. (Newswire)

The post Public Transportation projects : Five updates appeared first on Newswire.

A man has been arrested for sexually harassing a female Police Constable who was on undercover duty on a public transport bus. 

The officer had been onboard as part of the ongoing Police operation aimed at preventing the sexual harassment of women and children in public transport.

The suspect, a 44-year-old private security officer from Welimada, was arrested and produced before the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s.

The suspect has been remanded until February 22, 2024, after being produced in court.

The special operation to prevent sexual harassment of women and children on public transportation was launched earlier this month. 

The public who face sexual harassment on public transport have been urged to inform the police via the hotline ‘109’. (NewsWire)

The post Suspect arrested for harassing undercover Policewoman appeared first on Newswire.

Forty-two (42) suspects have been arrested during the special operation launched by the Police on public transportation to tackle crimes and harassment.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon said among the suspects, 18 were arrested for sexual harassment.

Acting IGP Tennakoon further said that five suspects were arrested on charges of pickpocketing. 

The suspects were arrested by Police officers in civil attire who had been deployed in crowded areas and places of public transportation, including on buses. 

The special operation to tackle crimes and harassment on public transportation was launched islandwide yesterday. (NewsWire)

The post 42 arrested during special Police operation on public transport appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka Police has launched a special islandwide programme from today to tackle harassment against children and women on public transportation. 

The Police Headquarters said that the measures have been taken on the orders of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, due to complaints of sexual harassment of women and children received by the Police daily. 

Accordingly, Police in civil attire will be deployed on public transportation during peak hours, 08.00 am – 10.00 am and 05.00 pm – 07.00 pm, during which the movement of people is high. 

The officers in civil attire will be deployed on buses, at bus depots, railway stations, and areas with large crowds during this period. 

Police officers in uniform have also been stationed on the roads, largely covering main roads, to provide necessary support for the officers in civil attire. (NewsWire)

The post Islandwide operation to tackle harassment on public transport appeared first on Newswire.