The Hon. Danushka Ranganath

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 The people mandated the National People’s Power to deliver “a prosperous country and a better life,” including a better transport sector. We structured Ministries scientifically—unlike past ad hoc configurations—bringing Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation under one Ministry for integrated management.

¶ 03 We are now comprehensively amending the long-neglected NTC Act (No. 37 of 1991) to build a safe and efficient public transport system for the long term. A key change is expanding the scope from “bus passenger transport” to “road-based passenger transport,” covering all modes using roads—buses, office transport, school transport, three-wheelers—through regulations issued by the Minister.

¶ 04 The Bill provides for: - Regulation of road-based passenger transport services. - Temporary permits to meet peak and seasonal demand during festivals, holidays and special needs, addressing the typical shortage in rural services on holidays. - Mandatory registration of all service providers with the Commission, and a revamped framework for granting service permits. - Passenger safety and comfort standards, with enforceable minimum standards under Commission regulations. - Establishment of a training institute to professionalize the workforce and enhance sector capacity. - Strengthened penalties and appeals: minimum fines raised to Rs. 250,000, maximum Rs. 500,000, and imprisonment up to five years, or both, for specified offences.

¶ 05 Through these reforms, we aim to deliver a safer, better-quality service to the public and a more orderly, professional environment for transport operators.