Sri Lanka has launched a pilot programme to enable online seat reservations for long-distance bus travel, Transport and Highways Minister Bimal Rathnayake announced today.
Speaking at a media briefing, the Minister said buses remain the most widely used mode of daily transport in the country, even surpassing trains in popularity.
However, he noted that passengers currently face inconvenience as they must physically visit bus terminals to reserve seats, making travel planning difficult.
“This new system will allow passengers to reserve seats in advance and plan their journeys more efficiently. Our aim is to make daily life easier,” he said.
The initiative will initially be implemented through private bus operators, with plans to expand the service to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) at a later stage.
Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman Mothilal De Silva stated that the platform was introduced ahead of the New Year holiday period in collaboration with several private sector partners.
Under the pilot phase, key transport hubs including Makumbura Multimodal Centre, Galle, and Kandy have been selected, with plans to expand islandwide based on the initiative’s success.
Passengers can reserve seats via the website www.busticket.gov.lk or by calling 0112001266. In-person assistance is also available at the Makumbura centre.
An additional fee of around Rs. 30 will be charged for the service, with card payment facilities also available.
Authorities said the programme will be promoted through media awareness campaigns, while the public has been encouraged to use the service and provide feedback. (Newswire)
