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South Korea in driver’s seat for more bus lanes plan
The trial run for bus lanes proved to be a success.
More bus-only lanes are expected to be introduced in selected locations in Colombo over the next three months and a committee will be appointed to implement it.
Bus lanes are to be designated from Pettah via Borealla to Battaramulla and will be expanded to Malabe, Piliyandala, Kottawa, Town Hall and Borella areas.
Professor Amal Kumarage, a senior lecturer at the Moratuwa University, who is involved in the implementation of the scheme said a committee should be appointed to prepare plans for bus lanes.
He explained that he was given the responsibility of designing the bus lane system and drafting plans.
“This is a big step. The Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka wants the bus lane system to be operational within three months. We have to plan, renovate, identify issues and design without flaws,’’ he said.
But he said South Korean expertise was needed to create the bus lanes.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Transport Board chief operations superintendent P.S.R. I Chandrasiri noted that the bus lane system would be useful in scheduling and there are plans to increase frequencies.
“We have already ordered 100 low floor buses. The buses have less load capacity with fewer seats but there is space and air conditioning,’’ he said.
Mr Chandrasiri said the SLTB supports the bus lane system.
The President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Associations’ Trade Union Alliance, Stanley Fernando, said the speed of bus movement had increased by 20 kilometres per hour in the bus lane in Rajagiriya.
“Buses moved at a constant speed and there was no overtaking or any accidents,’’ he said. It also helps save fuel, he added.
The school van drivers association also favours the bus lane system.
The All-Island Inter-District School Children’s Transport Association President N.M.K. Harishchandra Padmasiri, said drivers need information on plans.
“We have to drop school children at schools on time and need to know about the programme and traffic plans when the bus lane is created so that we can avoid the traffic by amending our schedules,” he said.
He also suggested that the Megapolis Ministry discuss with the Education Ministry and call for a grace period for students for a short period in the event of delays.
The National Combined Trishaw Drivers and Workers Association chairman K.D Alwis said they support the bus lanes. But, he said, trishaw drivers expect to operate without hindrance.
Earlier this week, Mr Ranawaka told media organization heads and senior journalists that traffic congestion can be reduced by attracting more people to public transport.
According to him, the average travel speed of 9.5 km per hour during rush hours improved to 31km per hour during the bus lane trial.
Mr Ranawaka said that funds from the Pradeshiya Sabha, Provincial Councils and the government will be used.