"Flying" buses: Commuters asked to inform Police

BUS travellers will have an opportunity of providing information to relevant authorities by telephone about buses that "fly" at high speed without observing road rules, signboards and signals.

Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando has requested the public to inform the police on one of two numbers which will be manned 24 hours. Commuters with mobiles could be of much assistance to police to prevent possible road accidents and bring the law breakers to book.

Police will keep telephone numbers 118 and 119 throughout the day to receive information and complaints of bus travellers. These numbers will be strictly under the IGP and the Administration branch of the Police Headquarters.

The IGP assured that the Police would act immediately after receiving information and take charge of the bus and deal with those responsible according to law.

Participating at an emergency meeting held at the Transport Ministry yesterday afternoon with Transport Minister Felix Perera to plan out a strategy to prevent road accidents, IGP Fernando sought the help of the public.

He said it is of paramount importance to have public support to bring bus drivers under control and to discipline them.

The IGP wanted the bus travellers to boycott the buses that are driven carelessly on the road disrespecting all norms. Protests by travellers would help to discipline the drivers.

SSP Lucky Peiris of the Traffic Police said that in the future bus drivers will be expected to have the endorsement card along with their licence.

If they fail to have this in their possession it would be a punishable offence, he added.

Secretary to the Transport Ministry Dr. D.S. Jayaweera, National Transport Commission Chairman Prof. Amal Kumarage, Commissioner of Motor Traffic B. Wijeratne, DIG Gamini Silva and Jude Fernando, Liaison officer of the Road Accident Prevention Secretariat were present at the emergency meeting conveyed by the Secretariat.