Special transport arrangements for New Year season

500 extra buses allocated to operate from April 9 to April 21

350 buses assigned for expressway  

Expecting 800,000 passengers during festive period  

Special facilities arranged at bus terminals   

Special arrangements made to transport people back to Colombo after the New Year

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

Special transport arrangements have been made for the New Year season by the Transport Ministry, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), the National Transport Commission (NTC), and the Railway Department to facilitate travel from Colombo and its suburbs to other provinces.   

Accordingly, special transport services will operate from April 9 to April 21. During this period, long-distance bus services will run to Kandy, Puttalam, along the High-Level and Low-Level roads, Dambulla, and Galle under the coordination of the SLTB and NTC. Additionally, 500 extra buses have been allocated for these services.   

The Railway Department has also scheduled regular and special train services from Colombo Fort to destinations such as Badulla, Kandy, and Galle.   

Furthermore, an additional 350 buses have been assigned to facilitate expressway travel from Makumbura, Kadawatha, Kaduwela, and the Bastian Mawatha bus stand.   

As part of efforts to enhance transport services, the Ministry aims to provide facilities for at least 800,000 passengers to leave Colombo City during the festive period.   

Special facilities such as restrooms and first aid stations have been arranged at bus terminals, along with dedicated staff. A special control office and a 24-hour customer service unit have also been established by the NTC. Passengers can contact these units through the 1955 hotline, the emergency number 071 259 5555, or via WhatsApp.   

Information related to SLTB and railway services can be obtained by calling 1958 or 1971. In addition, a special mobile team is operational along major routes to investigate whether passengers are being overcharged for tickets.   
Meanwhile, special arrangements have also been made to transport people back to Colombo after the New Year celebrations.