Private bus operators to file legal action against National Transport Commission

The Private Bus Operators’ Association (PBOA) says legal action would be initiated against the National Transport Commission (NTC) for not granting permission for private busses to operate on the Southern Expressway after permitting Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses to commute on the road.

President of the PBOA, Gemunu Wijeratne said that the private bus operators have already informed that they were prepared to transport passengers at a competitive rate of Rs. 300 per passenger when the SLTB buses charged Rs. 400 per person for transportation facilities on the Southern Expressway.

He noted that the NTC has failed to adhere to its promise given to the private bus operators that they too would be permitted to operate on the expressway.

According to Wijeratne, the private bus operators have requested that permission be granted to operate five luxury buses on the Southern Expressway.

He added that although the SLTB buses on the expressway were said to be luxury buses, they were in fact similar to the ordinary private buses that travel on the normal roads.