Passara bus accident: Trading accusations on road to investigation

The ill-fated Bus 

• Skewed driving, fallen boulder or inaction by authorities ?
• The NTC regulates long distance buses and they should ensure that these time tables don’t overlap
• Even though President Rajapaksa promised to appoint professionals for regulatory authorities, it is politicians that are ruling these bodies
• Gemunu Wijeratne says that timetables need to be fixed first and that checking worn out tyres and issuing a new licences for bus drivers. aren’t practical measures
• A committee has also been appointed to investigate into the matter
• National Transport Commission conduct programmes to raise awareness on road safety

It has been revealed that there’s an alarming increase in accidents as some bus drivers have poor knowledge of driving passenger transport vehicles

“Those with a skewed walk habitually check if we are walking straight,” read the slogan detached from the Lunugala-Colombo bus that skidded off the road and fell into a 200 metre precipice at Passara along the Moneragala-Badulla road. While 15 passengers succumbed to injuries, 33 others including the driver were injured and are receiving treatment at the Badulla General Hospital. CCTV footage revealed the bus driver taking a sharp turn to make room for the tipper truck approaching from the opposite side, but unfortunately his attempt wasn’t successful. A boulder that had fallen onto the road also narrowed the stretch on which vehicles were moving. Experts observe that the relevant authorities haven’t taken measures to put up barriers to alert passengers to be more vigilant. The accident is said to be the worst to take place after the Yangalmodara bus-train clash that killed 33 people in 2005.

Bus falling into the precipice

Sri Lanka’s road safety at its worst 

A World Bank report published in 2020 highlighted that Sri Lanka has the worst road fatality rate among its neighbours in the South Asian region. The study further stated that the annual road crash deaths per capita in Sri Lanka is twice the average rate in high income countries and five times that of the best performing countries in the world. As per data in the report, an average of 38,000 crashes take place annually which result in around 3000 fatalities and 8000 serious injuries. The report further mentioned that Sri Lanka would require an additional investment of around USD 2 billion to achieve the desired Sustainable Development Goal which is to reduce national road crash fatalities by 50%. Seventy percent of road crashes involve low-income commuters and motorists. Fatigue, drunk driving, speed, tyre bursts or animal crossings have been identified as the main causes for crashes. 10% of fatalities are also said to occur at railroad crossings. 

“Drivers with heavy vehicle licences will not be allowed to drive passenger transport vehicles. This attempt is to introduce a new driving license to those who drive passenger buses” 

- State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama

Boulder that has fallen onto the road

Special operations launched 

A day after the incident Sri Lanka Police launched a three-day special operation to inspect worn-out vehicle tyres. According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana faulty conditions of vehicles are the root cause for fatal accidents. Therefore, if a person is found to be using a vehicle with worn-out tyres he could be fined up to Rs. 3500 and if a person is injured by such a vehicle a fine of Rs. 25,000 would be charged in addition to the usual penalty imposed for causing injury. 

In a separate move State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said that drivers with heavy vehicle licences will not be allowed to drive passenger transport vehicles. This attempt is to introduce a new driving licence to those who drive passenger buses. The State Minister further said that there’s an alarming increase in accidents as these drivers have poor knowledge of driving passenger transport buses.

Expert reports on road safety have been put aside 

“Speed limits should be imposed throughout the country and a scientific process is required to eliminate accidents,” opined Prof. Amal Kumarage of the Department of Transport and Logistics Management at the University of Moratuwa. He has also served as Chairman of the National Transport Commission on three occasions and negotiated and introduced several strategic reforms in the bus sector.“But why didn’t the authorities see this coming? Many reports have been submitted highlighting road safety, speed limits on main roads, how institutional structures should be changed, but these have been put aside. When an incident happens, the Police, Road Development Authority, Public transport operators will react. Even the media try to focus only on this particular incident and do not talk about how all roads need to be made safe for travelling.” said Prof. Kumarage. 
He further said that Sri Lanka needs to view how Presidents in other countries have included expert suggestions and observations in their policies. “The RDA is responsible for putting necessary safeguards and ensure that buses have around six GPS tracking devices. These matters come under the purview of the National Transport Commission. But even though specific instructions have been given, they were not implemented.” he added. 

“We conduct programmes to raise awareness on road safety. If passengers complain of faulty driving or misconduct on the part of drivers or conductors then we take action” 

- National Transport Commission Chairman Nilan Miranda

Timetables need to be fixed

“When the Yangalmodara incident took place we thought the authorities would take action to minimise road accidents, but nothing has changed since then,” said Lanka Private Bus Owners Association Chief Gemunu Wijeratne. “We requested for a meeting with the President to talk about streamlining road safety, minimising traffic and fatal accidents that have been taking place. It’s not only buses that meet with such accidents, but heavy vehicles, three-wheelers, bikes and other vehicles too are included. After sometime people will forget this incident. The RDA is partly responsible for not removing the boulder that had fallen onto the road. The driver was blamed for irresponsible driving, but he’s an experienced driver.” said Wijeratne. 

Speaking on capacity, Wijeratne said that the bus had to be loaded with passengers from Badulla. “The timetables have been scheduled, so that buses overlap. So every bus is trying to keep up with time and load passengers. The NTC regulates long distance buses and they should ensure that these time tables don’t overlap. There are no timetables for around 50 routes. On the other hand there is a prevailing licence mafia. Even though President Rajapaksa promised to appoint professionals for regulatory authorities, it is politicians that are ruling these bodies. On the other hand the area Police division is also at fault because they failed to take necessary safety measures at this place.” opined Wijeratne. 

When asked about GPS tracking devices in buses, Wijeratne said that those are not important. “Timetables need to be fixed first.  Now they are checking worn out tyres and they are issuing a new licence for bus drivers. But these are not practical measures,” he said. 

“But why didn’t the authorities see this coming? Many reports have been submitted highlighting road safety, speed limits on main roads, how institutional structures should be changed, but these have been put aside. When an incident happens, the Police, Road Development Authority, Public transport operators will react”

- Prof. Amal Kumarage of the Department of Transport and Logistics Management at the University of Moratuwa

No overlap in timing 

However, National Transport Commission Chairman Nilan Miranda said that there are 456 timetables for all Island long distance buses. “At present there are 3200 long distance buses. We have also ensured sufficient amount of rest for them. We have set up restroom facilities with A/C, TV, washrooms and other facilities. These are specially made for drivers and conductors. But these aren’t available in the outskirts.” said Miranda. 

Responding to a query regarding the overlap in timetables Miranda said that it is the responsibility of the provincial transport authority. “As per the timing there has been no overlap. The bus was supposed to reach Passara at 7.15 am and the accident had taken place around 7.05 am. Usually long distance buses are expected to travel at around 40 kmph, but this depends on the area as well. The particular bus was registered with us as well. A committee has also been appointed to investigate into the matter,” he said. 

Miranda further said that financial support will be given to the victims of the accident and the families of the deceased. “We conduct programmes to raise awareness on road safety. If passengers complain of faulty driving or misconduct on the part of drivers or conductors then we take action.” he added. 

“It’s not only buses that meet with such accidents, but heavy vehicles, three-wheelers, bikes and other vehicles too are included. After sometime people will forget this incident. The RDA is partly responsible for not removing the boulder that had fallen onto the road. The driver was blamed for irresponsible driving, but he’s an experienced driver”

-Lanka Private Bus Owners Association Chief Gemunu Wijeratne

RDA yet to receive report

When contacted RDA Director General L.V.S Weerakoon said that a team of officials has been dispatched to inspect the site of the accident and that he is yet to receive a report.