The Ministry of Transport has announced a list of bus routes where passengers can now pay fares using bank cards. 

Issuing a public notice, the ministry confirmed that bank card payments are accepted on 24 selected routes.

The bus routes are as follows;

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The United Transport Trade Union Alliance has raised concerns over the government’s move to introduce card payments for bus fares, citing unfair bank commissions. 

The pilot project introducing card payments for bus fares was launched at the Makumbura Multimodal Centre yesterday. 

Commenting on the initiative, the United Transport Trade Union Alliance President, Sampath Ranasinghe, said that during discussions with the Transport Ministry on the project, it was assured that bank commission would remain under 1%.

He said, however, it has now come to notice that the banks were charging card transaction commissions between 1.3 to 1.8%, in violation of what is approved by the government.

“Bus owners are not ready to provide their hard-earned income as commissions to banks. We request that banks support us. It is unfair for banks to earn from our income. Buses are not here to strengthen the banking sector. We request banks to support us with low commissions,” he added. (Newswire)

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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)

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The pilot project to introduce bank card payments for bus ticket purchases was launched at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre today, under the aegis of Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake. 

The initiative is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Digital Technology and the Ministry of Transport, as part of the government’s measures to modernize the country’s public transport system. 

The new system allows passengers to purchase bus tickets using bank cards, reducing the need for cash transactions. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport and Highways has announced that the payment of bus fares through bank cards will commence from next Monday (24). 

According to the Ministry, the card payment method will be launched at the Makumbura Multimodal Centre in Kottawa. 

As such, the public can make card payments for bus fares for buses plying to Galle, Matara, and Badulla.

The Transport Ministry further said that 05 banks, including state and private, have joined the initiative. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation has announced that, starting today (May 21), toll payments on expressways can be made using payment cards, as part of a sustainable program initiated last month.

According to the ministry, the necessary infrastructure has now been established at key exit points on the Southern Expressway, Colombo–Katunayake Expressway, and the Mirigama–Kurunegala section of the Central Expressway.

The system will be available at 119 exit points across 35 interchanges, and relevant officials have already undergone training sessions to operate the new system.

The ministry stated that this card-based payment system will help reduce congestion on expressways and save time, thereby easing the daily lives of commuters. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Transport, Prasanna Gunasena, says a card payment system will be introduced for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the private transport sector as soon as possible.

The Deputy Minister said every sector will be streamlined to take the transport sector to a new level, based on the mandate given by the people and the government’s vision.

Pointing out that illicit transactions and corruption occur due to the circulation of money, he emphasized the need to introduce the card payment system to the transportation sector.

He made the remarks at the event which marked the assumption of duties of the newly appointed Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), P. A. Chandrapala, yesterday. 

The newly appointed Chairman of the NTC revealed that a new program will be implemented through the Commission to streamline transport services, including three-wheeler and school transport services, which are currently operating under several sectors.

He further said the NTC is the primary institution that carries out the regulatory process in the transport sector on behalf of the government, and its primary responsibility is to provide services to the people. (Newswire)

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A pilot project for card transactions for travel on expressways will be launched this week, the Ministry of Transport announced.

The Ministry states that the pilot project is planned to be initiated at the Kottawa and Kadawatha interchanges.

Accordingly, it will be possible to make payments using debit and credit cards, as well as QR codes for traveling on expressways.

The Ministry of Transport further states that following this pilot project, it is expected that card payments will be made available on all expressways in the country from May this year. (Newswire)

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