Sri Lanka to deploy 104 Metro buses on 7 routes to ease Colombo traffic

COLOMBO, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will deploy 104 newly introduced Metro buses on seven routes in the Western Province from Monday to reduce traffic congestion in Colombo and improve public transport, S.M.U.P. Thilakaratne, chairman of state-affiliated Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd, said Sunday.

This photo taken on March 29, 2024 shows the city view of Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka. (Photo: Xinhua)

The buses will operate on seven Colombo-centered routes according to fixed routes and timetables, he said.

Thilakaratne said one of the main objectives of the program was to reduce the number of private vehicles entering Colombo, particularly vehicles carrying only one person.

He said many commuters currently travel to and from work in private vehicles, often with just one occupant, contributing to heavy daily traffic.

The government hopes the new service will encourage more people to use public transport and help reduce the number of vehicles on Colombo roads, Thilakaratne said.

The 104 buses will increase the Metro Bus fleet to around 121 buses. The government has also approved the purchase of another 50 buses, with the fleet expected to reach about 172 by the end of this year or early next year. Metro services are also planned for Kandy, Galle and Jaffna.