Pilot project with separate lane for passenger buses launched

The pilot bus priority lane project, featuring dual lanes as priority lanes for passenger buses, was initiated in Rajagiriya yesterday (12) with the participation of the Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The project, a pilot to find ways and means of reducing congestion in the City of Colombo, will be conducted for a period of one week and concludes on March 19. Initially the dual lanes between the Rajagiriya junction and the Ayurvedic Junction and the road from the Ayurvedic Junction to Rajagiriya Junction would become priority lanes.

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development said that the entire project was initiated under the instructions of Prof. Amal Kumarage and with the support of the Korean government’s KOICA Institute.

The ministry said that a monitoring team has been appointed to review the outcome of the project, including officials from the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry, Road Development Authority, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Sri Lanka Police, Moratuwa University, Western Province Passenger Transport Authority and the Colombo Municipal Council.

Introducing the pilot project, Minister Ranawaka said the concept was a result oriented one was presently being used in European Countries and in Singapore.

Minister Ranawaka said, while developing transport services the country should work on more practical and cost effective practices in future.

He said recent studies showed that between 150-180 buses travel towards Colombo Fort from Battaramulla during the rush hours from 7am - 9am and also at 4.30pm.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Prof. Amal Kumarage

were also present.