News
Reviving wrecked state bus service a long, hard slog
View(s):By Jayanie Madawala
Sri Lanka’s inefficient public transport services are well reflected in the state-run bus service, which for decades had accumulated billions in financial losses in the hands of corrupt politicians and their incompetent appointees.
And turning around the state bus service along with filling up staff gaps now is a daunting undertaking.
SLTB Chairman Sajeewa Nandana Kanakarathna. Pic by Akila Jayawardena
According to reports, 55 of the Sri Lanka Transport Board’s (SLTB) depots are running at a loss. The Transport Minister had noted that the SLTB is suffering serious financial difficulties. SLTB as a whole suffers from excessive operating costs and debt.
A National Audit Office report said the SLTB incurred a loss of Rs. 3.01 billion in 2024 in purchasing 500 buses.
Unions claimed that the unauthorised issuance of 138 travel passes to trade unions also added to the loss.
Out of 7,137 buses in the fleet, only about 5,182 are in operation, with 1,955 buses out of service.
An author and researcher who wishes to remain anonymous told the Sunday Times that there is no proper recruiting process for the top-level management, and this deficiency has caused widespread concern over the years. Recruitments had been political.
Recruitments are only being done after 2013, he said.
Even though the Leyland buses were replaced under an Indian project, they were not enough to restore services.
Upgrading of 25 selected SLTB bus depots as model depots is set to start. This is expected to strengthen SLTB’s financial and operational performance while improving service quality and efficiency.
For 60 private buses, there should be at least 40 SLTB buses. But there are not even 20.
There are not enough mechanics to repair buses. “Earlier, many passed out from the vocational training institute in Ratmalana, but due to low salaries, they are reluctant to enrol.”
Even though card readers were introduced to collect fares, their use is limited.
A.G.S. Sunanda, depot superintendent of Elpitiya, said, “We are experiencing a critical shortage of both staff and operational buses, with reports showing a need for over 27,500 employees and a significant portion of the fleet being inactive island-wide.
“More than 1,300 buses were non-operational by 2022. There was a shortage of drivers, conductors, and technicians.’’
Mr Sirinanda, a bus driver of the Matugama depot, said the lack of staff and buses meant repeat work on long-distance trips.
A conductor, K.H.M. Senevirathna of the Elpitiya depot, said there are not enough buses and he gets assigned to various routes and not a specific one. “We have been assigned to do others’ shifts most of the time.’’
M. Madushani, a teacher working at a Baddegama school, said, “Our bus leaves Ambalangoda at 5:45 a.m., and it’s the first bus, but it’s irregular on many days.
“Every morning, the buses are packed. Most buses are poorly maintained. The seats are damaged. It is an uncomfortable journey after all,” said J. Liyanage from Kiribathgoda.
SLTB Chairman Sajeewa Nandana Kanakarathna told the Sunday Times, “We are recruiting 450 new drivers and 350 conductors before the end of this month, and the plans are underway to assign them to various depots.’’
In an historic milestone for Sri Lanka’s public transport sector, a batch of female bus conductors were handed their appointments in the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) at an official ceremony.
Some organisations were given passes, he said. “We had to offer certain religious people and members of the tri-forces and the retirees passes as a service.’’
Despite these challenges, SLTB continues to play a critical role, particularly in rural areas, officials say.
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