Sri Lanka’s transport sector to be modernized with new fleet

• Park and ride system to come
• Cashless payment methods to be introduced 
• 1,000 buses including low-floor, super-luxury ones to be introduced 

 By Kelum Bandara 

Sri Lanka’s public transport sector is to be modernised  with the introduction of 1,000 new buses including low-floor and super  luxury buses to the fleet of Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), Deputy  Minister of Transport Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.   

Currently, passenger buses are operated both by the private  and state sectors. The private sector is responsible for the operation of 50  per cent of buses on the expressways and 60 per cent on normal routes.     

The Deputy Minister told Daily Mirror that though the  state-run service is entitled to operate 40 per cent of buses on normal  routes, the available fleet is insufficient to meet the target.   

“SLTB is required to have 7,400 buses. Yet, there are around 5,000 buses in operation,” he said.   
The Cabinet paper is expected to be presented soon seeking  approval to import 1,000 buses, including 200 super-luxury buses after  an open tender process. According to the Deputy Minister, low–floor  buses are the most expensive with each costing Rs.68 million.   

“Low-floor buses, once imported, will operate on routes  within city limits. Along with that, we will introduce park-and-ride  systems. People can leave their private vehicles at the designated  places and take the public transport system to travel to city centres,”  he said.   

Asked about SLTB losing revenue due to malpractices, he  said new buses will be introduced with cashless payment systems to  overcome that problem.   

“Today, both private bus owners and SLTB lose money due to corruption and malpractices,” he said.   
Passengers find it convenient to board and de-board low–floor buses.   

Asked about passenger fares for low-floor buses, he said,  “We will introduce a cost-reflective ticketing price. Probably, fares  may be similar to the rates currently being charged for air-conditioned  bus services.”   
Once Cabinet approval is secured, buses will be imported within 36 weeks.