Moves to discipline bus drivers commendable but more needs done

TRANSPORT Minister Bimal Rathnayake is going gung-ho over the mandatory seat belt rule for bus drivers.

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He has taken it upon himself to board buses and check if drivers are wearing seat belts. Similarly, a few months ago he was seen taking a train ride to see what issues the commuters have, all good on camera but what we can hope for is that this is the start of a real change in the public transport system in the country.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) announced the mandatory rule for bus drivers to wear seat belts is effective from 1 July 2025. Although the requirement for drivers to wear seat belts has been in force since 1 October 2011, under the provisions of the Motor Traffic Act, non-compliance remains widespread, the NTC said.

Minister Rathnayake said for the past three months, the Ministry has been carrying out awareness programs on this matter and bus owners while finding time and resources to decorate their vehicles, claim they lack the time to install seat belts for drivers.