Private bus owners claim a pilot project to introduce a prepaid card system and a QR code method, to reduce the use of currency in public transport for bus fares, will be trialled on the 24th of January.
Accordingly, the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne speaking to NewsRadio said they hope to trial the project in a 163 Dehiwala-Battaramulla private bus.
He said State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama has been introduced to the system adding that a QR code will be introduced for commuters to be able to use their smartphones to travel.
Wijeratne said a 163 bus will be operated during office hours in the morning and evening while passengers will be transported according to the number of seats during the trial.
The President of the Association however claimed that officials are yet to grant approval for the new system and charged that there is a serious disinterest and slow-paced response to the move.
Wijeratne said discussions will be held with the Minister of Transport and the Western Province Passenger Transport Service to move forward.
