- Government spent Rs.1,660 million on Sisu Seriya in 2023
- Govt. funds 93 percent of season ticket
- More funds allocated for season tickets annually than for road projects
Annually the budget allocation made for Education in Sri Lanka is only second to that of Health. One initiative under this move is the bus season ticket provided for school students by the Government and the Sisu Seriya bus service.
Accordingly, in 2023 the Government issued bus season tickets worth Rs. 21,775 million to school, university and technical college students in return for a mere Rs. 1,638 million received from parents and students. In other words, only 7 percent of the ticket price is collected from a school student while just 21 percent is collected from university and technical college students.
SLTB Chairman Lalith de Alwis
According to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), it had to increase the number of season tickets issued in 2023 compared to 2022 due to a massive surge in demand from school, vocational and university students. For instance, in 2022, 285,000 monthly season tickets were issued for school students, but in 2023, the monthly average has surged to 440,000, indicating a substantial increase.
Furthermore, while only 6,690 monthly season tickets were distributed to technical college students in 2022, the number has more than doubled to 15,260 in 2023. Similarly, for university students, although 6,052 monthly season tickets were issued in 2022, the corresponding figure has increased to 8,190 per month in 2023.
The Government asserts that, in comparison to 2022, the issuance of season tickets in 2023 has witnessed a notable 46 percent increase. As an explanation, they attribute this almost 50 percent rise to the recent economic crisis and the substantial hike in private transport fares, mainly school van and three wheeler fares. Many parents, grappling with the financial strain, found relief by opting for the SLTB school buses, and providing students with the season card has significantly eased the financial burden on parents.
Educational circumstances
As per the practice of providing season tickets, they are distributed every month or within a month, including months with fewer school days such as February, to alleviate the burden on students and their parents. While adhering to the traditional practice of excluding weekends and public holidays during the issuance of season tickets, the current educational circumstances are being considered, and season ticket holders will now be allowed to travel in SLTB buses on every day of the month.
However, season tickets are not issued during the vacation months designated by the Ministry of Education due to the absence of legal provisions from the Treasury. Even though the bus service is inactive during school holidays, it is utilised during the examination periods (such as at present) to provide relief to the students sitting for the exams. Therefore, the issuance of monthly season tickets is considered both an investment in the future of the country and a solution to the economic challenges faced by parents.
Consequently, the National Budget allocates funds annually to offset the deficit incurred in issuing season tickets to the SLTB.
The Treasury determines the amount lost in providing season tickets to schoolchildren based on the monthly sales report of season tickets from the SLTB. However, a recurring issue is that in certain years, the entire allocated amount is received, while in other years, the total amount is not fully received.
According to SLTB Chairman Lalith de Alwis, the Government commenced providing season tickets to students in 1970, almost 54 years ago. “In 2022, the SLTB incurred a loss of Rs. 7,688 million and in 2023, the loss escalated to Rs. 12,136 million. The SLTB did not receive sufficient funds from the treasury to cover its services. Additionally, the economic crisis of the previous year led to a 46 percent surge in season ticket sales. It would provide substantial relief if half of the lost income could be obtained from the Treasury. Alternatively, there may be a need to consider an increase in season ticket prices,” he said.
Launched in 2005, the Sisu Seriya program is a centralised, reliable, and cost-effective bus service provided as a collaborative effort between the SLTB and registered private bus service providers. Currently, 790 SLTB buses are actively contributing to the implementation of this project islandwide.
Launched through a collaborative effort from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport, Sri Lanka Police, SLTB, and the National Transport Commission (NTC), this project aims to guarantee the safe, comfortable transportation of uniformed school students and teachers to and from school. The primary focus is to ensure their journey is free from any physical or mental harassment, and a dedicated school-to-home bus service is provided.
Punctual transportation
Rigorous security protocols are enforced to ensure the proper maintenance and operation of these buses. The service offers punctual transportation to and from school, with buses arriving 15 minutes before the start of school and being present near the school at closing time for student pick-ups. Recognizing education as the right of every child, the Sisu Seriya service guarantees affordable transportation through subsidized fares. This initiative not only promotes school attendance but also offers financial relief to families.
In 2023, the program, operating under the regulations of the NTC, extended its coverage to 5,331 schools islandwide. It caters to the transportation needs of 115,500 children who commute to school daily. In the previous year, the Government allocated Rs.166 million for the Sisu Seriya project. To facilitate this initiative, the Government has enlisted the support of 790 SLTB buses and 710 private buses. In acknowledgement of their services, the Government has disbursed Rs. 428 million to the SLTB and Rs. 766.4 million to the private bus operators, ensuring the convenience of the students.
The school bus service is a holistic transportation solution designed to ferry students to school punctually before the start of the school day and safely transport them back home at the scheduled time after school. Presently, 751 buses have been mobilised from 107 depots nationwide as part of the Sisu Seriya program, actively promoting regular school attendance among children. Despite incurring losses, the SLTB operates this service as a form of social care, prioritising the welfare of students who use it.
