The National Transport Commission (NTC) is to introduce a special bus service to facilitate commuters during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season from April 8 to 19.

NTC Director General Nilan Miranda told the Daily Mirror that buses will leave Colombo city to other provinces until April 15, and from April 15 to 19, the similar operation will continue from other provinces to Colombo city.

"We have a total number of 3,200 registered buses at the NTC and a pool of 1,000 buses for emergency use. More employees were assigned to the Bastian Mawatha Private Bus Stand," he said.

"Special arrangements have been made to facilitate pregnant and breast-feeding mother's and their infants. The police will deploy a special patrolling to protect people on the Bastian Mawatha Private Bus Stand from falling victims to thieves. The Sri Lanka Army will also provide tighter security for passengers at the bus stand. A separate drinking water facility will be set up at the bus stand with the support of the Colombo Municipality," he said.

Also, informed the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) to check all the shops within the bus stand premises to maintain the quality of food being sold, he said.

"Beggars will not be allowed to enter the bus stand. All private buses were advised to display a sheet of the revised bus fare. Commuters can also lodge complaints if they come across any shortcoming in relation to transport facilities using the toll free number 1955," he said.

Meanwhile, he said team of flying squad inspectors will be assigned to carry out routine inspection in the  buses, Miranda added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)