Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena commented on the Metro Bus service in Parliament today.
He stated that the newly launched Metro Bus service will operate on completely new routes and that these buses will not operate on or parallel to the traditional routes where ordinary buses operate.
He stated that the Metro Buses will be operated under a completely new category called Luxury, separate from the existing SLTB and private public transport bus services.
The Deputy Minister stated that the fares of the Metro Bus service are higher than the ordinary fares and are generally double the fares.
He also stated that the primary priority and target group of this project is the people who come to Colombo city daily in their private cars, vans or motorcycles for work and other needs.
The Deputy Minister stated that the government’s expectation is that the relevant people will park their private vehicles at the designated parking lots before entering Colombo city and use this metro bus service to reach Colombo city, thereby providing a permanent solution to the heavy traffic congestion in the city.