(UTV | COLOMBO) – Minister of Transport Mahinda Amaraweera says authorities cannot disregard health guidelines issued for the transport sector.
The Transport Minister said additional buses will be deployed if there is an increase in demand.
The Minister said practical issues persist, adding that nearly 145,000 persons use trains daily while seating capacity is only 25,000.
However, Minister Amaraweera added given the limited number of seats, they cannot allow persons to commute in trains standing.
He said the transport sector has not received permission to allow such practices by health authorities.
Therefore he claimed they will deploy additional buses to facilitate the demand, adding this will not impact the private bus industry.
The Minister said they will meet the demand, adding that from tomorrow long distance buses will also operate except for in Colombo and Gampaha.