Sept 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka National Transport Commission announced that it canceled route permits of 34 private buses for their poor service to the public.

Offences committed by the crew of these private buses include charging excessive fares, misbehavior of drivers and conductors, not issuing tickets, not displaying departure and arrival time, not maintaining the first aid kit, low quality air-conditioning system, loading a crowd exceeding the limits and using other routes.

These errant private buses were nabbed in the special raids conducted by the Monitoring and Fines Squad Unit of National Transport Commission.

Of the offenders, 15 intimidated passengers whilst nine were nabbed while charging excessive fares.

Sri Lanka's 18,000 private omnibus fleet is the major player in the passenger transport sector. However it is often criticized for poor quality service.

Various measures have been taken under Minister Dullas Alahapperuma to enhance the service. People can now call to National Transport Commission hotline 2595555 to lodge complaints.