The Metro Bus Service will be expanded across Colombo from tomorrow (29), Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake has announced.
Speaking at a special media briefing on the national programme to improve road safety and public transportation, the Minister said 121 buses will be deployed under the programme, which is being implemented under the leadership of the President.
He said the initiative is aimed at encouraging more people to use public transportation while reducing dependence on private vehicles.
The Minister also noted that Sri Lanka Police had previously introduced a bus-priority lane system, but it could not be maintained continuously due to various reasons.
According to Rathnayake, the Metro Bus Service has been designed to provide a more organised public transport system, with buses operating according to scheduled times, stopping only at designated locations, and being operated by drivers and conductors expected to comply with regulations.
He said this system has been identified as more suitable for implementing dedicated bus-priority lanes.
Under the new arrangement, one of the three lanes on selected roads will be allocated for public transport buses during peak periods. The dedicated lane will operate in one direction from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 a.m., and in the opposite direction from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
The programme is intended to strengthen public transport services and improve traffic management across Colombo.
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