CTB’s daily revenue up by Rs 38 million | Sunday Observer

CTB’s daily revenue up by Rs 38 million

4 December, 2016

With the Private Bus Owner’s Association calling a strike demanding the removal of the newly introduced traffic violation fines, the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) pulled up its socks to serve the public, and earned a record revenue of Rs.110 million on Friday. Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Chairman of the CTB, Ramal Siriwardena said this was an increase of Rs.38 million above average daily revenue.

“Our average income on a normal week day would be around Rs. 70 to 72 million. On Friday, excluding some of the long distance buses, the income has risen up to Rs. 110 million. This is short of some long distance buses of which income was not calculated as they had yet not returned to their respective depots. This was an increase of Rs. 38 million,” he said.

CTB Chairman further said that he was confident of the conduct of his employees. “My drivers are more disciplined and abide by road rules. I don’t think they need to worry about any of the newly imposed fines.

“We managed to rally around our sources as there was prior notice and I had sent out a circular cancelling all leave for all drivers, conductors and mechanics. We increased our number of buses in operation. Further we have been able to operate more trips that we usually schedule for in order to serve the public,” the chairman said.

Meanwhile, several CTB buses came under attack by unidentified groups and the most serious incident occurred in Mihintale.

“A large stone was pelted at one of our buses belonging to the Karainagar depot which was plying from Jaffna to Kandy. And a soldier who was attached to the KKS camp was hit in the head in this attack. He sustained severe head injuries.

He was initially admitted to the Mihintale hospital and was subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura base hospital. The soldier is in serious condition.”

According to a decision made by Transport Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva the family was assured that all expenses will be borne by the CTB until recovery.

“Though it was not our fault he was still our passenger,.” Siriwardena said.

According to a statement issued by the Information Department, yesterday, the Government has instructed the Police to strictly enforce the law against who damage public property and persons who had obstructed the free flow of traffic.

“The Police acted particularly to remove containers placed across the Negombo-Colombo main road and steps have been taken to arrest those responsible. Police investigations of several incidents of attacks on CTB buses are underway. Police will strictly enforce the law against disruption of normal civilian life and causing damage to public property,” the statement said. 

Comments