‘Ladies Only’ buses do a come-back

The Transport Ministry has introduced two ladies only buses to accommodate working women who travel to Colombo, sparing them possible abusive treatment on their journey.

A Meegoda-Fort and a Padukka-Fort bus were launched on Thursday.

The Meegoda-Fort bus starts at 6.30 a.m. from Koshena stand while the Padduka bus starts at 6.35 a.m. from the Meepé stand. Both buses leave Pettah at 4.35 p.m on their return journey.

Transport Minister A.H.M. Fowzie told The Sunday Times that he was aware that women travel standing in buses and were unable to do so in a dignified manner.

“I know that women have been harassed inside buses, so I feel that they need to travel in a bus solely for them,” he said.
Minister Fowzie also said that the Ministry would be introducing three more such buses next week.

An Udahamulla-Fort bus would be launched on Tuesday, a Kesbewa-Fort bus on Wednesday and a Moratuwa-Fort bus on Thursday.
Despite two failed attempts in the past, the Ministry is once again attempting to recruit women conductors for these buses.

Minister Fowzie said this move may help eliminate any abuse in these buses.