Toll on Colombo bound traffic on the cards

5 December 2019 08:42 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government is in the process of levying a toll from all private vehicles entering Colombo and its suburbs as a solution to the mounting traffic congestion in 2020, a senior source of the Commuter Transport Management Ministry said yesterday.

Vehicles will be charged on their category and debited to a consolidated fund to develop public transport, roads, control environment pollution etc, the source added.

He said the private and SLTB buses and trains would be fully modernised to provide more facilities to commuters and disabled passengers in particular.

“Around 60,000 vehicles including 45,000 light vehicles enter Colombo per day. The amount of vehicles entering Colombo is beyond the capacity of control to a small city like Colombo. A system to manage private and public transport should be implemented on priority. "We envisage that commencing of levying a toll on vehicles entering the city would considerably reduce the congestion".

He noted that the speed limit has come down to eight kilometres an hour in Colombo during the opening and closing time of private and public offices in Colombo and it creates a negative impact on the economy. If proper decisions are not taken to control the heavy congestion in the city, travelling in Colombo would be a nightmare before long.

"Cabinet approval for the project will be sought to shortly,” he noted. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

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Comments - 34

Paramanathan K Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:25 AM

God sake, first of all start implementing light train service or the Metro train network before implementing toll on Colombo bound traffic.

Lalindra Siriwardane Friday, 06 December 2019 11:37 AM

Agreed. They need to have these in place before implementing this toll system.

kudson Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:26 AM

here we go round the mulberry bush looks like the light rail will take light years two people cannot sit in the bus seats of today it can can only seat 1 1/2 people LOL

Mm Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:27 AM

Good move.. get ride of those monster buses who drive like donkeys.n replace with government owned modern ones so ppl can go decently

Mohamed Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:36 AM

I see some positive progress from SLPP, keep it up. Developing the county and putting right system in place is the priority for this country. Please put a system long lasting and not temporary solution. Bring toll card system like in Dubai.

Citizen Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:30 PM

This is not a project of SLPP but initiated by UNF govt. This is part of the master plan done by a singaporean firm way back in 2001 at the request of the then UNF govt. the problem is that when UNF govts try to implement any project there's stiff opposition from the people instigated by the Opposition politicians due to too much freedom. But with GR, everything will be smooth sailing for the govt.

ALI Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:51 AM

Pls send your ministers to Dubai and learn and study how Dubai Police implementing traffic and traffic law then implement in Sri lanka or send some Police officers to Dubai and learn from Dubai Police HATS OFF OUR DUBAI POLICE

Sokrates Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:52 AM

Ban also all vehicles without Euro 5 Norm at least Euro 4 Norm.

Tax Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:56 AM

The Tax lost (PAYE, WHT, VAT) need to be filled.

TheSwan Thursday, 05 December 2019 09:56 AM

Good move. Very disappointed over the previous regime failing to implement such program.

Jude Thursday, 05 December 2019 10:09 AM

Long overdue!!! Implement ASAP!!! Make sure plenty of buses available!!!

Bule Thursday, 05 December 2019 10:25 AM

Implement a system to encourage commuters to travel by a Bicycle. Even commuters living close by Colombo use a car for single passenger to travel to Colombo. Govt Officials should be encourage to attire a suitable easy dress to travel by Bicycles and have washroom facilities in their offices. There are many ways and means to arrest this isuue

Ravi Thursday, 05 December 2019 10:41 AM

Please discipline the bus crew and the tuk tuk drivers before penalising the private vehicle owners. The way passengers are treated by these morons are horrible. Rudeness, earsplitting noise from onboard sound systems and from the modified exhaust systems are a few examples.

s.fernando Thursday, 05 December 2019 10:53 AM

First introduce a proper public transport system in Colombo and open up branches of public departments like passports and licence issuing offices to the provincial capitals.

Andrew Silva Thursday, 05 December 2019 10:57 AM

Tax concessions and tax cuts the first step to make up is a road toll, many other things to fallow. There is nothing called free you people.

ram Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:03 AM

First implement proper parking system in colombo. all approved parking of private and public building should be used only parking 90 % of the approved parking are were converted to commercial use. strictly implement parking on all over the place on road. open marine drive from wellawatte to mt. lavinia. atleast by now upto dehiwela junction. Strict implemention traffic law of bus and 3 wheel drivers

Commuter Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:09 AM

Stop new vehicles being brought down into the country in the first place.

Sumith Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:17 AM

After paying tall also, if the vehicle has to wait in the traffic congestion to leave city for hours, What's the solution. The government should pay the toll back if they are unable to maintain the minimum speed limit of a particular day. As ex. if a particular rainy day, if the government could not maintain the normal movement speed, they should refund the toll with a penalty.

Samson Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:22 AM

Very good.People will think twice before start to go to Colombo. Toll should be doubled during peak hours. In Singapore even taxi drivers reluctant to enter in to the city during peak hours.

Suresh Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:49 AM

Arrange a shuttle bus system in by roads (with AC/battery powered).and need a reasonable time table and bus drivers shall comply with the time like in other countries. It take 1hr to come from Battaramulla to pettah (15km)by bus.This is absolutely crazy!

Leo Thursday, 05 December 2019 11:56 AM

The only reason people drive to Colombo in own vehicle is as the public transport is an absolute nightmare. First implement proper public transport, and them implement the toll fee.

Nirmal Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:00 PM

Keep tuktuks away for a week and see thre diffrent...

Sanath Rammandala Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:16 PM

The people use private vehicles since the public transport is in a deplorable state. You need to understand that and offer decent transport, both bus and railway, then the people will have no hesitation to use those. Without which, just imposing a levy is not acceptable.

Ranjith Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:25 PM

The solutions are many elevated roads to get to city and to get out of the city and to by pass the city light rail system/metro etc first how are you going to collect Rs. 2600 billion to settle foreign debt and revenue drop due to tax cuts painting walls will not solve our problems

Nalin Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:28 PM

Control number of government vehicles, there will be less traffic. Also increase trains.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:30 PM

Ha Ha... this is the reason VAT was reduced to 8% and PAYEE down... now the yakkos will see actualities happening.

Citizen Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:33 PM

With an inefficient Police nothing can be implemented in SL. Eg: The Bus Lane method introduced didn't bring the expected results as private motorists were going along this lane blocking the public transport. No traffic police to penalise the errant motorists. The traffic on Galle Rd, closer to Koll junction is due to this issue.

Samson Thursday, 05 December 2019 12:41 PM

Not a bad move. First road discipline must be restored, stop bus racing, provide buses with A/C for people to travel in comfort, then private cars are not required.

Nimal Thursday, 05 December 2019 01:01 PM

Ali, Why not suggest Ministers buy their own ticket and go to Dubai for this study because they promised to serve people with everything they have.

mnsmart Thursday, 05 December 2019 01:30 PM

Ali - do you want to spoil the Dubai policemen?

Asoka Balage Thursday, 05 December 2019 02:57 PM

Get rid of TukTuk altogether to reduce pollution and congestion. It’s many people’s livelihood but people lived without TukTuk before UNP leader R.Premadas brought this menace from India.

Ranjith Friday, 06 December 2019 12:21 PM

Ha Ha cement increased by 110 rupees water tariff to increase for household over 15 units many more to come after general elections are you happy

V.rajagopall Friday, 06 December 2019 01:33 PM

Better consult China and give Trincomalee to them as consultation fee

loku kodikara prabhath wickramasinghe Wednesday, 11 December 2019 06:13 AM

develop good public transport system .cut down number of private vehicles by introducing toll

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Toll on Colombo bound traffic on the cards

Comments - 34

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