The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has announced an investigation into bus ticket scams that surfaced during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year travel rush, warning that legal action will be taken against operators found guilty of fraud.
The probe targets reports of overcharging and fraudulent ticketing by private bus operators who exploited the heavy demand for intercity travel ahead of Avurudu. Thousands of passengers relied on buses to reach their hometowns after the SLTB deployed 1,490 buses for the holiday period and the ministry launched special Colombo-Kandy services.
The ticket fraud is a separate issue from the broader SLTB conductor fraud, where state bus conductors were found to be pocketing an estimated Rs. 20 million daily through under-reporting of fares. That systemic problem is being addressed through the introduction of digital ticketing systems.
The ministry also recently warned that buses operating without valid permits during the Avurudu period would face legal consequences.
Avurudu travel this year was further complicated by Cyclone Ditwah’s disruption to Northern Line rail services, which pushed more passengers onto road transport.
