The National Transport Commission has called on passengers to use its dedicated ‘1955’ hotline to report bus operators charging fares above approved rates during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holiday period.
NTC Director of Operations and Service Supervision Shereen Athukorala said at a media briefing on Saturday that the commission was paying special attention to fare violations during the festive travel rush, when demand surges create opportunities for operators to exploit commuters.
Athukorala warned that some buses operating without valid permits may attempt to carry passengers during the holiday window, often charging inflated fares on high-demand routes.
Authorities have already taken action. Seven buses attempting to begin operations from Colombo without proper permits were apprehended on Friday (April 11) and immediately produced before court, where legal proceedings were initiated.
The enforcement drive is part of a broader crackdown on festive-season transport scams. Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has separately urged the public to report bus ticket scams, with the ministry warning of legal consequences for offenders.
The NTC hotline operates alongside the existing SLTB special bus services, which deployed 1,490 additional buses for the Avurudu period. Passengers are advised to retain their tickets as evidence when filing complaints.
