Sri Lanka's transport ministry plans to deploy all 121 Metro buses across Colombo by the end of September as part of an initiative to encourage private vehicle users to switch to public transport, with expansion planned for other cities next year.
Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake has announced plans to significantly expand Colombo's Metro bus service, with all 121 available buses expected to enter operation within a year starting from late September. The rollout follows an initial phase using 10 buses, which the minister characterized as having already demonstrated considerable public benefit, though he stopped short of labeling it an official pilot program.
Central to the expansion strategy is the establishment of park-and-ride facilities at approximately 240 identified bus stops throughout Colombo. The minister emphasized that the project's primary aim is to redirect users of private vehicles toward public transportation rather than simply consolidating existing bus passengers. He called on local authorities, businesses, and property owners near designated stops to develop parking infrastructure to support this modal shift.
The government has already secured Cabinet approval to introduce Metro bus services in Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna during the following year. The Urban Development Authority will develop an application enabling users to check parking availability near Metro stops in real time, helping commuters plan journeys and locate alternative facilities when spaces are unavailable. Local authorities will retain responsibility for setting parking charges and implementing regulations, though the Metro institution will provide guidelines for facility development.
Rathnayake stressed that adequate parking capacity will prove essential to the project's success in converting private vehicle users to public transit. The government intends to facilitate online payment systems for parking fees, with specific charges to be determined by relevant local authorities. The minister framed sufficient parking infrastructure as a critical factor in achieving the broader transportation objectives underlying the Metro bus initiative.
