Two months after an ambitious project was launched to encourage motorists to park their vehicles and ride in a luxury bus to the City, the National Transport Commission (NTC) is struggling to continue the service in the face of the very limited success of the project so far.
The NTC commenced this service, with the main objective of reducing traffic on the roads by attracting private vehicle owners who motor to the City daily. It spent an initial sum of Rs. 10 million to start the service. Although it was planned for six buses presently only one 20-seater is operating carrying around seven passengers. The bus is scheduled to proceed from Moratuwa to Colombo Fort via Nawam Mawatha.
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| The luxury bus with the few passengers travelling in it. |
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| The almost empty car park at Angulana |
The complex is situated in a one acre paved land in Angulana, Moratuwa which can accommodate 150 vehicles but not more than five vehicles have been accommodated up to now.
Although the service was to operate every 30 minutes between 6.30 a.m and 8.30 a.m, now only one bus leaves at 7 a.m.
The City Liner coach is operated by E.C.D Global (Pvt) Ltd., which provides transport to many institutions including SriLankan Airlines, the Central Bank and the Foreign Ministry.
E.C.D Global (Pvt) Ltd., managing director Malcolm Jayasundara said that there was a poor response to the concept.
“There are around seven passengers and this is a big loss to the company. But as we promised to support the concept we are providing the service bearing a loss of Rs. 250,000 monthly,” he said.
He said that the concept did not catch on as the pre-launch advertising was poor and did not reach the public.
Mr. Jayasundara said that presently the response is being studied and by the end of July if the losses keep recurring a decision would be taken whether to proceed with the service.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, some of the passengers who used the service expressed their views.
Dulani* and Nirmal* used to travel by car but after their car met with an accident they had decided to use the bus service.
“The comforts are great but the service is only to the office. Any other travelling involves using a taxi or a three-wheeler,” she said.
Nirmal* said that his daily fuel cost was Rs. 650 but by using the bus service only Rs. 400 is spent by both.
Niluka* is a regular traveller in the City Liner bus for almost one and a half months. She gets into the bus at Ratmalana and travels to Colombo Fort.
“My husband had to take me in his vehicle or I had to take the train to office, but this is more comfortable and convenient for both of us,” she said.
She said that there was not enough promotion of the service, with some people believing that a person should come all the way to Angulana to board the bus.
Meanwhile, NTC chairman Prof. Amal S. Kumarage told The Sunday Times that at present the position is being reviewed and it is hoped to make some changes as some minus points in the system have been noticed.
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