All passenger transport services to be regulated

The government yesterday announced its decision to regulate all passenger transport services, including three-wheelers, under the National Transport Commission. 

The clearance for the proposal was given by the Cabinet this week.  

While it was proposed to regulate the three-wheeler passenger services under a separate authority, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardana justified that it is cost-effective to regulate the three-wheeler passenger services under the National Transport Commission, without exhausting public funds on establishing a new authority. 

Gunawardana added that the expectation is to improve the efficiency and affordability of the passenger transport services while creating a win-win situation for passengers and drivers. 

Gunawardana also sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to further amend National Transport Commission Act No. 37 of 1991 by including provisions for the issuance of relevant policies, regulations and guidelines to regulate all passenger transport services such as three-wheelers, school van/bus and office transport services. 

Since the emergence of the economic crisis that has impacted the availability of fuel in the country, the charges for transport services have seen an over twofold increase. 

During the height of the fuel shortage that was witnessed in the month of July, the transport services, mainly cabs and three-wheelers, were quoting skyrocketing charges from the passengers. The reasons cited for the charges were the limited availability of fuel and procuring fuel in the black market by paying over a five times higher price than the price approved by the government.