Bus-priority lane rule hits the roads again in Colombo

Drivers will have to pay a fine of Rs. 2000 if they are caught flouting the bus priority lane rule, Traffic Police Chief Indika Hapugoda told the Sunday Times.

The usual school-and office-hour traffic jams are expected to subside with the traffic police reimplementing the bus-priority lane rule from Wednesday, November 1. The pilot run ends on November 14.

The priority lane rule is being implemented from the Savoy Cinema on Galle Road in Wellawatte and leading up to Pettah from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. On Maradana Road, from Borella Junction to Olcott Mawatha, Pettah is open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the same route.

SLTB buses, private buses, office vans, school vans, and school buses are the only vehicles allowed on the bus lane.

DIG Hapugoda said progress was seen in just two days after the re-implementation, as office and school buses had been able to reach their destinations about 20 to 30 minutes faster.

Traffic police will prevent vehicles such as motorcycles, threewheelers, and other vehicles from using the bus lane.

"The pilot project has been successful

Police are happy with progress, but some are sceptical. Pix by Akila Jayawardena

so far," says DIG Hapugoda.

However, All Island InterDistrict School Children Transportation Association President Harischandra Padmasiri said there was no notable change as the road rule was only followed when there was a traffic police presence.

DIG Hapugoda said they were hoping to expand the bus priority lane to more areas, including the Cross Junction in Moratuwa and the Polduwa Junction.

He said that once the public got used to the system, it would facilitate the smooth operation of a plan

to introduce 200 electric buses.

Lanka Private Bus Owners Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, said it was they who initially went to the HRC (Human Rights Council) and requested the bus lane.

"However, the lane does not function properly. The thick white line markings have faded away. A bus needs space to travel, and there’s no room for the bus to stay within the lanes as the width is too narrow,” Mr. Wijerathne said.

He said there has been a decrease in buses. “There were 18,000 buses before, but only 13,000 buses run island-wide.