The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will be strengthened with the addition of 600 new air‑conditioned buses to be imported by the end of this year, while a further 200 buses will be purchased using SLTB funds, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake said.
Speaking at the official commencement of operations at the Kadawatha Metro Depot yesterday (07), the Minister also revealed that the Metro Bus Service fleet will rise to 122 buses this month, with Cabinet approval sought to buy another 50.
The minister further revealed that by year‑end or early next year, the Metro fleet is expected to expand to 172 buses.
He noted that the Metro Bus Service will be extended beyond the Western Province to Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna, and that opportunities will be opened for the private sector to operate services in collaboration with the Metro institution.
Under the modernization program for urban transport, infrastructure development for the Metro Bus Service is being carried out jointly by the Transport Ministry, the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Sri Lanka Transport Board, and the Lanka Metro Transit (Private) Company.
The first Metro depot was handed over to the public on September 4 in Battaramulla, Talangama, while four new depots are planned in Talangama, Kadawatha, Ekala, and Ratmalana.
Currently, Metro operations run under Route No. 01, from Makumbura to Kadawatha via Maharagama, with 15 new buses deployed.
Plans are also in place to improve integration with other transport services through upgraded bus stops, integrated payment systems, depot facilities, and parking areas. (Newswire)