The Passenger Transport Management Ministry will introduce a prepaid travel card for bus commuters from next month, in a bid to make travelling safe and convenient.
Passenger Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that using currency notes and coins would increase the risk of spreading Covid-19 among commuters using public transport services. “That is why we have decided to introduce a smart card for commuters,” he said.
“Electronic ticketing through smart cards will provide cashless convenience to passengers with prepaid recharge options,” the Minister added.
He further said that the prepaid travel card will also be introduced for train commuters in the future.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has planned to provide a monthly allowance for the drivers and conductors of SLTB buses in addition to their monthly salary to strength their economic status.
Minister Amaraweera has also advised the National Transport Commission to discuss with the private bus owners the creation of a mechanism to pay an additional allowance to private bus crews to enhance their monthly income.
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