SLTB to Replace Aging Fleet with 200 High-End Buses

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has received Cabinet approval to procure 200 new super luxury buses for expressway operations.

The decision comes amid concerns over the aging SLTB fleet, with 52% of regular buses and a staggering 94% of luxury buses having exceeded their economic lifespan. To bridge the gap, SLTB has been operating 61 privately-owned luxury buses under a profit-sharing model.

To address this shortfall and reduce reliance on private operators, SLTB will fund the purchase of the new buses through a combination of depot-level investments and installment-based financing. 

Of the 200 buses, 29 will be acquired directly by financially capable depots, while the remaining units will be purchased using SLTB’s own funds for the initial down payment, with the balance to be paid in monthly installments over five years.

The proposal was presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and received Cabinet approval.