SLSTL shares 20-point plan to slash annual fuel import bill by US$ 0.5 – 1bn

The local transport and logistics sector has conceptualised a 20-point plan entailing tough measures to help trim the country’s fuel import bill, which if implemented is expected to save about US$ 0.5 to 1 billion per annum.

The Sri Lanka Society of Transport & Logistics (SLSTL) said the much-required foreign exchange can be saved by reducing oil imports for transportation, which currently costs the country US$ 4 billion—about two shiploads per week. 

However, the effort requires the willingness of the government to implement the plan. The plan was presented to Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena last weekend. 
The first focus of the plan is to have the government backing to push for a national programme that will encourage all citizens to consciously contribute towards reducing fuel consumption. 
For this the government must declare a policy of accelerated public transport enhancement and promote the effort via media, the SLSTL said.

Efforts should also be put in to prioritise the import of diesel over petrol and improve the logistics of distribution, using smart technology to prevent queues and manage limited fuel issues.
The next area of focus should be in public transport enhancement to attract private vehicle users, the society said.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) should immediately double the Sisu Seriya school bus services including air-conditioned services, while together with the SLTB the institutions should ensure that the first and last bus mandatorily operates on all routes under the programme.

The Transport Ministry must implement the Sahasara bus reform model connecting buses to a passenger app and bus management system already developed by the University of Moratuwa, providing the location of buses and trains to passengers through mobile phones, and integrating other services countrywide.  

The SLSTL said the ministry should also re-implement the bus priority lane system by adding low floor buses, card-based payments, and improved customer service.  

The third area of focus is to reduce the use of four-wheeled passenger vehicles. The association said this can be achieved by imposing a three-month restriction on the use of private cars on specific days of the week by the last digit of the registration number of cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans, which consume 51 percent of the fuel used for passenger transport. Further, it suggested imposing restrictions on cars, vans, and SUVs carrying less than three passengers entering areas that experience regular traffic congestion.  

Some of the other points listed in the plan include imposing a 2 percent surcharge on petrol or a substantial increase in revenue licensing fees as a dedicated levy for developing the public transportation, and revising the transport sector pricing mechanism.