Sri Lanka,ශ්‍රී ලංකා,Ceylon,Private Bus ride South-West coast (02)

Snapshot of a ride in a private bus. Heading from Galle towards Ambalangoda and Colombo on such a bus involves a maximum of stops. The private busses operate with concessions distributed by the governement authorities. All bus owner struggle to get a maximum of customers and this reflects on the driving style of the busdrivers, too. "Who gets first to the bus stop, will catch more clients.." Fares are quite reasonable, usualy not more than cents or a couple dollars, depending on the distance. Windows and doors may remain open to refresh the passengers and contribute to the special airborne feel, especialy at high speed, an addtional commun feature. No wings yet available for the participants. The crew is made off the driver and a "conductor" collecting the money from the travellers and issuing tiny paper tickets in exchange. The same conductor will also hang out off the bus or even jump out when approaching and stopping at bus stops so that his voice can be heard by the population on the street when he calls for new passengers. Conductors are always busy, even hyperactive when the bus gets crowdy. They make sure that everybody on the bus will pay and get off at the designated stop. About Ashok Leyland (the bus manufacturer): Ashok Leyland (NSE: ASHOKLEY, BSE: 500477) is a commercial vehicle manufacturing company based in Chennai, India. Founded in 1948, the company is one of India's leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, as well as emergency and military vehicles. Operating six plants, Ashok Leyland also makes spare parts and engines for industrial and marine applications. It sells about 60,000 vehicles and about 7,000 engines annually. Achievements: In India alone, Ashok Leyland buses carry 60 million passengers a day, more people than the entire Indian rail network Ashok Leyland has a near 85% market share in the Marine Diesel engines markets in India. In 2002, all the vehicle-manufacturing units of Ashok Leyland were ISO 14001 certified for their Environmental Management System, making it the first Indian commercial vehicle manufacture to do so. In 2005, received the BS7799 Certification for its Information Security Management System (ISMS), making it the first auto manufacturer in India to do so. In 2006, received the ISO/TS 16949 Corporate Certification, making it the first auto manufacturer in India to do so. It is one of the leading suppliers of defence vehicles in the world and also the leading supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army. Wikipedia