Public Transport: Time to revive the wheels

Public transport is, in a way, a yardstick that measures the level of a country’s socio-economic development. In the developed world, people rely heavily on well-structured systems that include monorails, light rails, low-floor buses, high-capacity electric trains, and trams- all designed for efficient urban mass transportation. 
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s public transport sector today stands as one of the most visible symbols of the country’s decaying public systems. For millions of ordinary citizens who depend on buses and trains for daily mobility, the experience has become one of frustration, discomfort, and insecurity. The deterioration of the transport system — particularly the bus network — reflects years of neglect, poor regulation, and the absence of a coherent national policy to modernise this vital sector. 
At the heart of the crisis lies a fundamental imbalance between the importance of public transport and the attention it receives from policymakers. It is an area where no successive government has paid sufficient attention in terms of investment or regulation. 
While a large section of Sri Lanka’s population relies on public transport for daily commuting, the sector continues to operate in an unregulated, outdated, and often exploitative manner. The buses that ply our roads — mostly run by private operators alongside a weakened Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) — are increasingly unfit for use. Many are old, poorly maintained, and unsafe. For commuters, especially women and schoolchildren, these buses are daily reminders of the state’s failure to provide dignified and efficient transport.
The liberalisation of routes, introduced decades ago to encourage competition and improve service coverage, has instead devolved into chaos. Today, the private bus industry functions in a fragmented and loosely monitored ecosystem where operators compete aggressively for passengers rather than for service quality. Schedules are ignored, road discipline is absent, and commuters are treated as commodities rather than customers. 
Regulatory bodies such as the National Transport Commission (NTC) and Provincial Transport Authorities have largely failed to enforce standards. What should be a reliable public service has turned into a survival ordeal for commuters and a free-for-all profit chase for operators. 
The government’s own transport arm, the SLTB, once a proud public service, has been reduced to a struggling entity burdened with financial losses, political interference, and an ageing fleet.
This deterioration has deep economic and social implications. For working-class citizens, the poor quality of transport translates into longer travel times, higher costs, and diminished productivity. For the urban middle class, it encourages a shift towards private vehicle ownership, worsening congestion and pollution. The social cost of this cycle is immense — from traffic congestion and road accidents to environmental degradation and reduced quality of life. 
The new government must be serious about improving public transport. It should start by restoring the concept of transport as a public service, not merely a private business opportunity. This means re-establishing firm regulatory control over routes, permits, and service quality. The National Transport Commission and the provincial authorities must be strengthened, depoliticised, and empowered to enforce standards. Strict penalties for reckless driving, overloading, and schedule violations should be implemented without political interference. 
Secondly, the state should prioritise the modernisation of the SLTB fleet and its operational model. A national programme to replace old buses with energy-efficient, low-emission models — including electric buses — can both improve service quality and align with the country’s climate commitments. The public sector must set the standard for reliability and safety, not mirror the inefficiency of its private counterparts.
Integration is another critical area. Sri Lanka’s transport system operates in silos — buses, trains, and emerging ride-sharing services do not connect seamlessly. The introduction of an integrated ticketing and scheduling system could significantly enhance the commuter experience. Such systems are common across Asia — from Singapore to India — where passengers can switch between modes of transport using a single card or app. Digital ticketing and GPS-based fleet management would also improve transparency and curb revenue leakages. 
Finally, transport reform must be treated as a national development priority. A reliable and efficient public transport system enhances productivity, supports tourism, reduces traffic congestion, and improves overall quality of life. It also sends a strong signal of governance efficiency and modernisation - qualities Sri Lanka urgently needs to attract investment and rebuild public confidence. It is an area that should be prioritised. People, too, should be prepared to welcome reforms without being naysayers. A modern society cannot emerge without public support, responsible usage, and civic discipline.