Park Your Car, Catch the Metro | 104 New Metro Buses to Roll Out This September

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's public transport network is set for another transformation, with LLanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd announcing that all 104 newly imported Metro buses will be deployed for passenger transport from September.  

Speaking to News1st, Lanka Metro Transit Chairman U.P. Thilakaratne said that four dedicated depots are also being established to manage the maintenance and operations of the new bus fleet.

Responding to a question on the routes that will be served by the 104 buses, Thilakaratne said the services will operate from Millennium City to Colombo Fort, Makumbura to Battaramulla, Borella to Panadura, Battaramulla to Ekala, Makumbura to Colombo Fort, Panadura to Town Hall, and Ragama to Battaramulla.

He added that Borella is expected to serve as the central hub for a majority of the bus operations.

Asked about the unique features of the new fleet compared to buses currently in operation, Thilakaratne said the buses are fully air-conditioned and designed to provide greater passenger comfort.

"These buses have also been digitised, and payments will be made entirely through digital platforms. That is the key difference between these buses and the conventional buses currently in operation," he said.

Responding to a question regarding maintenance and long-term sustainability, the Chairman said work is currently underway to establish four new depots, which are expected to be completed by the first week of August.

"The buses will be maintained at these dedicated maintenance centres. In line with our current plans, every bus will be washed and cleaned internally on a daily basis," he added.

Asked when the public would be able to begin using the new services, Thilakaratne said the company is aiming to launch operations within September.

He also revealed plans to introduce a "Park and Go" concept in the near future. Under the initiative, commuters will be able to park their private vehicles at designated locations and continue their journey using the Metro bus service.

"At present, we are planning to establish such a facility in Panadura, while a similar operation is already functional in Makumbura. The objective is to provide a cost-effective alternative for people who travel alone to Colombo for work. By parking their vehicles and using the Metro bus service, commuters can enjoy significant economic benefits," he said.