FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — The Sri Lankan government has given the green light for a pilot initiative aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction within the bus transport sector, as announced by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa.
This program will focus on three specific bus routes: 170, 177, and 190. The goal is to transition from independent operations to a more integrated approach that manages related routes as a cohesive unit, providing coordinated services.
The public transportation system in Sri Lanka is primarily operated by the state-run Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) alongside various private operators. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including intense competition, inconsistent scheduling, an oversupply of buses, reckless driving, traffic congestion, and suboptimal resource management.
Minister Jayatissa noted that while similar systems are employed in other countries, Sri Lanka’s approach will initially be based on voluntary collaboration rather than enforced corporate restructuring. “In some parts of the world, this is executed through corporate entities. However, our initiative will function on a voluntary basis,” he explained.
The cabinet’s decision outlines a strategy for unified management that aims to engage all relevant parties along the designated routes to assess the viability of broader implementation. After reviewing the outcomes of the pilot program, the government intends to extend the bus sector clustering model to additional areas throughout the nation. (Colombo/Jul7/2026)
