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Last Updated : 2024-03-29 10:25:00
Introducing the pilot project - Priority lane for passenger buses, as a means of reducing the traffic congestion in Colombo and suburban areas, Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said more than ten million vehicle movements within the Western Province is reported per day according to the recent census.
The minister said the recent census revealed that during the rush hour time from 6am - 9am, around 8,000 people had travelled in 180 passenger transport buses while 9,000 persons travelled in 4,700 private vehicles showing that the private vehicles had carried only two passengers per vehicle.
The Minister also said the less quality and comfort in the public transport services and the increase in income has diverted people to private transportation methods.
“In the 1980s, 85 per cent used public passenger transport for their daily use. Today, the situation has changed almost by 50 per cent. The public has shifted to private vehicles such as Cars, Motorcycles and Three-Wheelers,” he said.
The Minister pointed out that if 40 passengers use their own private transport, instead of a bus, it would need around 10 bus space in the road.
Minister Ranawaka said the demand for new roads increased regularly due to private vehicle users, however, it is not possible to do so now as it costs more time and money.
Further, the minister said, he doesn’t believe that the project would be successful only as an isolated project.
“This is only the beginning. After monitoring the progress of this project, the original concept should be upgraded by introducing a new bus service, cashless ticketing system, new time schedules, vehicle parks and passenger information,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister said the new practice would put into effect by March 17 at the Parliament Road and at the Old Kotte Road and expecting an outcome of 250 per cent efficiency. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
mnsmart Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:42 AM
Must limit or stop heavy vehicles such as container careers, overloaded lorries etc during peak hours
George Friday, 10 March 2017 07:32 AM
The government was always good in talking... Nothing happened or happens so quickly via DM Android App
moho Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:42 PM
ha... very nice.. but i think buses are better compared to tuks right.. always jumping between lanes...using the opposite direction... creating lanes themselves.. !!
seqi Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:29 PM
containers should use roads only between 10pm and 5am via DM Android App
REEZ Thursday, 09 March 2017 02:09 PM
Mr. Coloured Timber is dreaming the bus lane and our bus drivers are honestly driving through the lane.
JNP Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:46 PM
Should be introduced MRT, LRT, Metro and TDM systems with the central hub in Fort.
willows Thursday, 09 March 2017 10:23 AM
Stop the heavy vehicle movements in the cities during peak time (6-9 am and 12- 2 pm and 5-7 pm) , one major reason for traffic congestion.
shihansaly Thursday, 09 March 2017 10:11 AM
upgrade the train services. thats the only solution to reduce traffic and the only viable solution which can be implemented via DM iOS App
buwa Thursday, 09 March 2017 10:03 AM
First you have to educate the bus drivers via DM Android App
BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 09 March 2017 09:47 AM
You were part of a government that spent billions US$ on 6-lane highways in a city where the people did not have money even to buy a bicycle. You are also a minister during election time gaped at the idea of converting polythene to petrol, not knowing that this process is more expensive to buying fuel from abroad. To improve the traffic system in Colombo requires complete town planning and not politics.
Bingo Thursday, 09 March 2017 09:28 AM
Total BS. Entire Colombo need a cleanup. All the shops in Colombo can fit in one big modern mall and make rest for parking and proper roads.
Jonna Roxx Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:52 AM
This is not going to work you will need wells on the side to stop them from jumping lanes :D
Dumbo Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:48 AM
Aiyo Nick!Read it properly will you. He has said 10mil vehicle movements in western province. Also how on earth can you compare vehicle movements = to number of unique vehicles?Ex: A car travelling up and down 2 times will be equal to 4 vehicle movements.
shek Wednesday, 08 March 2017 07:53 PM
only talks this will not happen in the near future. via DM iOS App
Roman Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:39 AM
I think you also missed out a key word in that sentence which is 'movements' he was referring to ten million vehicle movements!
deshan.048518 Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:33 AM
If all the buses are traveling in the bus lane...then it is RIP for passengers who wanna travel to office quickly....end of the day there will be more and more private vehicles on the road since the buses are going slowlyyyyyyy
mahinda Thursday, 09 March 2017 08:11 AM
Stop all these protests by settling there issues and traffic cogestions will be reduced before your Bus mania.
Elakolla Thursday, 09 March 2017 07:52 AM
Hallelujah!
blacsheep Thursday, 09 March 2017 02:06 AM
The Bus Lane is successfully in operation In Central London, and they allow Licensed Taxis to operate in this Lane. A similar model can be copied in Sri Lanka allowing Licensed Taxis and Licensed 3 wheelers to travel in the Bus lane too. We need to have a clear badge on licensed wheelers to be identified. There can be a period others can also use the on the restricted bus lane during off traffic peak time 7.00 pm to
cedricillasinghe Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:28 AM
THIS PATHALI RANAWAKA IDIOT IS TALKING THROUGHHIS REAR END ( POOKER ). ALL ROADS IN COLOMBOARE COMPLETELY SATURATED,WHERE THE BLOODY HELL IS HE GOING TO PUT THE BUS ONLY LANE ?
Gajan Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:08 AM
If you could regularize the time wasting 154 and 155, that will be another independence day.
janaka Thursday, 09 March 2017 01:03 AM
They will be in the lane and many others as this can only work in civilized countries?
gdj100 Wednesday, 08 March 2017 09:14 PM
How about putting the 3 wheelers into the bus lanes as well and the call it the maniac lane!
seqi Wednesday, 08 March 2017 09:12 PM
when will you do what you say...... via DM Android App
nick Wednesday, 08 March 2017 09:12 PM
I think his got the numbers mixed up our total population is 20mil so he is saying more than 10mil vehicle movement in Colombo...then what about the rest of the country according to his calculation almost all of the Srilanakan have a vehicle anyway this is what you get & you expect them to fix the country via DM Android App
Yeti Wednesday, 08 March 2017 08:53 PM
And one for protest marches too!!!
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