Sri Lanka will launch a dedicated priority bus service for persons with disabilities next month under the Clean Sri Lanka programme and the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
The initiative aims to safeguard the mobility rights of persons with disabilities, who have received limited attention within the country’s public transport system.
The project, implemented with a financial allocation of Rs. 430.7 million, seeks to remove physical barriers in public transport and create an environment that allows persons with disabilities to travel independently and safely.
Under the first phase, 10 modern low-floor, air-conditioned buses designed for easy access by wheelchair users were brought to the Hambantota Port on March 10. The buses are scheduled to be transported to Colombo on Saturday and officially handed over to the Metro Company.
Each bus has 33 seats and can accommodate up to 80 passengers, while also featuring specialised safety systems for wheelchair users.
The service will begin as a pilot project centred on the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre. Buses will operate every 40 minutes during morning and evening hours on the Makumbura–Pettah and Makumbura–Kadawatha routes.
The routes have also been planned to cover major healthcare facilities, including the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital and the National Hospital of Colombo.
A total of 28 drivers and conductors from the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will undergo special training provided by the Ministry of Social Services, covering bus technology, passenger safety, professional ethics, passenger care, and basic sign language for communicating with passengers with disabilities.
Based on the success of the pilot project, the government plans to import an additional 100 buses in August to further strengthen accessible public transport services.
The Clean Sri Lanka programme also plans to renovate or construct bus stops in line with accessibility standards to ensure they are disability-friendly, according to the President’s Media Division. (Newswire)
