Priority Bus Lane concept to be further expanded

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to further expand the Priority Bus Lane concept and to take necessary steps to attract the middle class to use public transport services by improving their quality.

The allocation of a Priority Bus Lane was implemented as a pilot project at Parliament Road from March 12th to 23rd with the assistance of Korean International Cooperation Agency while it had shown a positive outcome in reducing traffic congestion.

“Accordingly, the proposal made by Minister of Megapolis and Western Development, Patali Champika Ranawaka, to expand this concept further and to take action to attract middle class in using public transport services by improving their quality, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers,” the cabinet spokesman said.

The cabinet papers proposes to promote importation of Low Floor air-conditioned buses through concessionary loan schemes, prepare a common ticketing system with electronic card payment facilities, improvement of three-wheeler/taxi parking facilities and to implement Bus Priority lanes in following road sections in busy hours:

• Moratuwa-Ratmalana, Wellawatta-Kollupitiya in Galle Road
• From Parliament Junction to Rajagiriya, Borella, Maradana, Pettah and Colombo Fort in Parliament Road
• From roundabout in Chiththampalam A. Gardiner Mw to Pettah
• Thummulla Junction to Museum Junction
• Eye Hospital roundabout to Thummulla Junction