The pilot project allowing passengers to pay bus fares using bank cards has been launched on several inter-provincial and provincial routes, as part of efforts to modernise Sri Lanka’s public transport system.
The new payment method was inaugurated at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre today (24) and is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Highways and the Ministry of Digital Technology, with support from selected state and private banks.
As of now, the card payment system has been introduced on the following routes:
Routes operated under the Road Passenger Transport Authority
- Makumbura – Matara
- Makumbura – Badulla
- Makumbura – Galle
- Colombo – Ampara
Western Province routes
- Borella – Kadawatha
Uva Province routes
- Badulla – Bandarawela
- Badulla – Mahiyanganaya
- Moneragala – Bibile
- Moneragala – Wellawaya
In addition, the authorities confirmed that the system will be expanded from tomorrow (25) to the following routes:
- Colombo – Vavuniya
- Kadawatha – Maharagama
- Makumbura – Tangalle
- Makumbura – Agunukolapelessa
Officials said the pilot project will be further expanded based on public response and operational performance, with the long-term goal of rolling out the card-based fare system across general bus services nationwide.
The project aims to eliminate cash handling, improve transparency, and enhance passenger convenience, while also strengthening discipline and efficiency within the public transport sector. (Newswire)