The National Transport Commission (NTC) has decided to do away with the semi-luxury passenger bus service after May 2023.
Speaking on the matter, Director-General of NTC Nilan Miranda said the number of complaints about the semi-luxury buses received from the passengers is on the rise.
“We have decided, on the directives of the Transport Ministry, to convert the semi-luxury bus service to either ‘general’ or ‘luxury’ service,” Miranda said.
According to the NTC chief, all bus owners have been informed about the decision.
There are nearly 430 semi-luxury buses in operation, and the bus owners will be given the chance to convert the service to a ‘general’ or ‘luxury’ service free of charge.
Accordingly, the conversion procedure is expected to be completed by May 31.
However, the chairman of the Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne has taken issue with the NTC’s decision.
