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Ticket machines, crew uniforms ‘must’ from January - SC

COLOMBO: The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Western Provincial Road Transport Authority (WPRTA) to fully implement the gazette order that required private bus operators in the Western Province to equip their conductors with ticketing machines and the bus crew to wear uniforms by January 1 next year.

Tuesday, Sep 30, 2008 | 995 Views | Comments [View/Post]

The Supreme Court made the order when the fundamental rights application filed by a resident and non- government organisation seeking the effective implementation of the air quality laws in Colombo City was taken up before the Court. The route permits of operators who do not comply with this order will be cancelled.

The Court issued several orders under the proposed Urban Transport Action Plan. The Court directed the IGP to consider removing the barriers along the Galle Road in order to implement the pilot project. Under this project buses would run along a dedicated lane, up and down on Galle Road. They would not use the R.A. de Mel Mawatha.

The Court also issued notice on the Municipal Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council to personally appear before Court and explain as to why parking of vehicles was prohibited along the R.A.D. Mel Mawatha in violation

of a Court order issued earlier. The Court also issued notice on the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), Dhammika Hewapathirana to co-operate with the WPRTA.

The chairman of the WPRTA and Sri Lanka Omnibus operators Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne submitted that the SLTB had not co-operated to implement the SLTB private combined bus time table in respect of route No. 120 Colombo-Kesbewa. National Transport Commission Chairman Prof. Amal Kumarage submitted that NTC would introduce such combined time tables in respect of 20 major routes by December 20.

Prof. Kumarage submitted that combined time table would regulate the bus service and reduce the number of buses needed. Gemunu Wijeratne submitted that excess buses would be re-deployed on rural routes.

The Court also directed the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to conduct meetings with the relevant stakeholders to restrict the movement of containers between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to and form Colombo Port in order to minimise the congestion during the rush hours.

The court also directed the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the WPRTA to commence the operation of the Premium Bus Service in the City by December 1, to restrict the flow of private vehicles to the city. The court directed that the private bus operators should be granted licences to operate this luxury service.

The court also directed the Chief Secretaries of the Provincial Councils not to issue new route permits to private buses until the preparation of the combined time tables. However, this would not be applicable to areas where time tables have been finalised and vacancies exist.

This was a sequel to an application made by Gemunu Wijeratne who also submitted that 30% of private buses are in excess. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva PC with Justice Ms. Shiranee Thilakawardane and Justice Nimal Gamini Amaratunga.

Petitioners Geethani Wijesinghe and the Environment Foundation Limited complained to the court that the air quality of the city is fast deteriorating since a large number of vehicles come to the city. They argued that the right to life would also include the right to an environment conducive for such right and included the right to breathe quality air to support a quality life. They complained that the respondents have an obligation in law to ensure the air quality in the city for public to lead a healthy life.

The petitioners cited seven respondents including Minister of Environment, Central environment Authority, the Minister of Transport, the Traffic Commissioner General and the Attorney General.

Uditha Egalahewa appeared for the EFL.

Deputy Solicitor General Bimba Thilakarathne Jayasinghe appeared for the respondents.

Upali Jayamanne appeared for the chairman, WPRTA.

The application was put off for October 20.


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