by Amarnath Paul
(July 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Ever since the advent of the private bus consortium, no government in power has been able to inculcate even a semblance of order and discipline into this band of road terrorists. They first need to be shackled and then moulded into a civic unit. The million dollar question is who has the chutzpah to crack down on such an operation.
Beginning this week, in this country, a new initiative puts all bus drivers under the scanner. They have labelled it, "the mystery rider programme". A mystery rider from the government transport authority will hop into buses and observe all the moves and habits of the bus driver and his conduct with passengers in special. (No conductors in this country?) Hence bus drivers have to be at their best all the time. More importantly, this programme is aimed at not only nabbing errant drivers, but spotting quality drivers with excellent manners, who will be monetarily rewarded for their service. It is a fair scheme for good and bad drivers.
Hey, but hang on. I think we had similar programme in Sri Lanka long years back. Yes we did. And, it was a very effective one. And, as always when we tighten the screws on law and order, there is always a violent furore for all the wrong reasons. Our ‘mystery rider scheme’ came to an end even before it began as bus owners most of whom were mudalalis and policemen with powerful political connections successfully managed to asphyxiate the plan. I cannot remember whether a strike was on the cards, which has been the weapon of intimidation for every conceivable act of injustice. But nothing good came out of the excellent scheme to bridle errant drivers and bus conductors.
Perhaps, rewarding good drivers and decent civic-minded conductors could be an additional incentive, if we should have a rethink on introducing the scheme again. Rewards and public appreciation may help clean up this ever worsening Augean Stables, apart from penalising the wayward crew.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
 Ever since the advent of the private bus consortium, no government in power has bee...){kind=link}
Sri Lanka bus service could be the most dangerous in the world. The drivers are protected by the owners who are well connected with the politicians and law enforcement authorities. Under such circumstances, the situation will get worse.
Before we talk about development, the politicians must re-establish law and order in the country; and traffic and road discipline, should be the first step in this direction.
Post a Comment