Fuel pumpers taking bribes from buses - LPBOA

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne accused fuel pumpers of taking bribes from private buses to supply fuel.

He said that certain filling station staffers are doing this in presence of the police and the army deployed at these filling stations. Most of the times, these errant staffers obtain Rs.1,000 for a full tank.

Wijeratne addressing a media briefing held yesterday, said that if 500 vehicles were issued fuel per day, they would be able to earn Rs.500,000 per day. “If the government fails to implement a proper mechanism to issue fuel for private buses, bus operations will be discontinued immediately after the GCE Ordinary Level examination,” he said.

Wijeratne emphasized that if bribes are taken from private buses, the persons may take bribes from other vehicles as well.

He also said that complaints have been received from the commuters that they are being charged more than the increased bus fares.

He also requested bus employees not to charge more money.The passenger can lodge a complaint with the Passenger Transport Authority regarding such buses.

“Passengers are asked to bring change in coins as possible.If such incidents occur, report them to the police.Today the salary of a driver or conductor is higher than that of a doctor. The bus owner gets meagre income. An average driver and conductor in Colombo and suburbs earn around Rs. 150,000 per month. There are drivers who earn about eleven thousand rupees a day,” he said.