Private buses hitting metro buses out of jealousy

The latest incident in a series of disruptive accidents caused by some private buses targeting the newly introduced Metro buses for passenger transport was reported early the day before yesterday. Three days prior, the same private bus, which allegedly deliberately broke a side mirror of a Metro bus, once again caused another Metro bus to collide. This accident occurred around 5:20 AM, and the CM 02 Metro bus, which was traveling from Millennium City via Athurugiriya to Colombo, was thus involved in the accident.

The private bus involved in the collision was the NC-9510, operating on the Athurugiriya - Pettah 170 route.

After the accident, the private bus blocked the road for about half an hour, obstructing other vehicles and causing severe inconvenience to passengers who were leaving for their morning duties. Sources indicate that if the law had been properly enforced when the bus's side mirror was broken on the first day, such an accident could have been prevented the next day. An opinion has been formed that no one has the right to destroy public property maintained with public tax money, and that a comprehensive investigation should be conducted against the bus mafia involved, with severe penalties imposed.

Against the backdrop of a growing trend where some private buses are causing accidents involving Metro buses, journalists questioned Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake about this matter yesterday (08) after an event held in Colombo.

The Minister strongly emphasized that individuals who cause accidents involving Metro buses are directly damaging public property. He also warned that some private bus drivers and owners who act in such a manner will face serious lawsuits and legal action in the future.

The Minister pointed out that hundreds of Metro buses have been put into operation, and a vast number of private buses have not caused any trouble to them. He stated that this is not a problem of all private bus owners, but only a very small number of individuals are engaged in such activities. The Minister urged the relevant parties to adapt and conform to this new transport service, which has been accepted by the entire country, instead of damaging public property and getting into trouble. Furthermore, Minister Bimal Rathnayake revealed that plans are underway to open the Metro service to the private sector within the next year.