Special transport plan launched for Sinhala and Tamil New Year period

The National Transport Commission has started a special transport plan to help people traveling to their hometowns for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This program will run from tomorrow until April 20. It is a joint effort with the Department of Railways and the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). The plan includes about 800 extra bus trips each day, provided by inter-provincial private bus operators under the Commission's regulation. Additionally, Sri Lanka Railways is offering more special train services from Colombo Fort Railway Station, adding to the regular services to various destinations. The Commission believes that around 1.5 million passengers will use bus and train stations in Colombo and nearby areas during this festive season. Authorities have made sure that important facilities like sanitation, security, and first aid services are available at major bus terminals. Special duty officers will be present to manage operations. To keep passengers safe and maintain service quality, 24-hour mobile inspection teams are assigned to watch over important transport routes. These teams will check for issues like overcharging, service standards, and passenger safety. Furthermore, a 24/7 operations room and customer service unit have been set up for the festive travel period, according to the NTC. Passengers can reach the National Transport Commission for assistance or complaints by calling the hotline 1955 or messaging on WhatsApp at 071 259 55 55.