Plugging many leaks in SLTB: 35 bus conductors suspended a day

By Akitha Perera and Ranil Dharmasena

About 35 conductors attached to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) were suspended a day due to various corrupt activities, Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament on Thursday (20).

Gunawardena said that for a brief period, SLTB buses on the Southern Expressway had operated without a conductor. During this period, the daily income of a highway bus had increased by 580,000 rupees.

The minister said that it was imperative that the government introduce an e-ticketing mechanism to prevent irregularities involving bus tickets.

Gunawardena added that the SLTB had contracted a different supplier for tyres this year. Now, the SLTB purchases a tyre 9,000 rupees less than earlier and they were of superior quality. Other areas of the SLTB must also be streamlined to reduce waste, he said.