COLOMBO : Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Government will introduce a Cluster Bus Company System to improve public transportation, adding that Cabinet approval for the initiative was recently granted.
The Minister made these remarks yesterday (7th July) while chairing the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development in Parliament.
He further stated that the scheme will initially be implemented as a pilot project on bus routes 177, 170 and 190.
The Minister also said that the previous four categories of bus services; normal, semi-luxury, luxury and super-luxury have been streamlined by removing the semi-luxury and super-luxury categories. Referring to the Semi-Luxury category, the Minister stated that a related court case is currently pending and that the relevant facts will be presented before the court.
Minister Rathnayake further pointed out that it is not equitable to apply a single fare formula to both long-distance and short-distance bus services. Given the higher operating costs associated with long-distance services, a separate methodology will be introduced to determine fares for long-distance buses. He emphasized that the Government is committed to safeguarding both the bus industry and passengers.
The Chair of the Committee also sought clarification from officials on whether bus fares could be reduced following recent fuel price decreases. Officials explained that although fuel prices have declined, other operating costs remain high, limiting the scope for fare reductions.
The Committee also discussed a range of issues including reducing road accidents, establishing dedicated lanes for bicycles and motorcycles, road development projects, and complaints from passengers regarding the failure to receive correct change from bus conductors. Officials were instructed to take the necessary action on these matters.
The Chair further directed officials to intervene promptly to resolve issues raised by Members of Parliament relating to the transport and urban development sectors.
The Committee also agreed that regulations made by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development under the Motor Traffic Act (No. 203), and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2480/22 dated 19 March 2026, should be submitted to Parliament for approval following the Committee’s consideration.
The regulations extend the concessionary period granted for fitting seat belts to seats in vehicles travelling on expressways where seat belts were not originally installed by the manufacturer. As the Committee observed that the previous grace period was insufficient, it has been extended from 20 March 2026 until 19 June 2026.
The meeting was attended by Hon. Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, several Members of Parliament, and officials representing the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
