Colombo’s Bus Priority Lane System Returns

COLOMBO (News 1st): The bus priority lane system has been reintroduced on Colombo roads from today (29).

Director of Traffic Control and Road Safety, Senior Superintendent of Police Manoj Ranagala, said the system will initially be implemented across seven key roads in Colombo as part of a pilot project.

The lane regulations were originally introduced through an Extraordinary Gazette issued on November 15, 2015.

Under the system, dedicated bus lanes will operate between 6.00 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. and again from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

During these hours, other vehicles will not be permitted to enter or park within the designated bus lanes.

SSP Ranagala said officers have been deployed from today to monitor compliance and ensure the regulations are properly enforced.

The reactivated lane system was visible across several major roads in Colombo during this morning's rush hour, as authorities commenced the pilot implementation.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the initiative will be operated as a pilot project for approximately one and a half months before a final assessment is conducted.

Explaining the rationale behind the move, Rathnayake noted that on roads with three lanes travelling in one direction, one lane has been reserved exclusively for public transport buses, including both Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses.

He said the objective is to encourage greater use of public transportation by improving travel times and reliability for bus commuters.

According to the Minister, a single bus can transport 60 to 70 passengers, the equivalent of around 15 private vehicles on the road, making bus priority lanes a more efficient use of limited road space.

Rathnayake said the trial period will be used to evaluate whether the priority lane system delivers the expected benefits in reducing congestion and improving the movement of public transport across Colombo's road network.