Public transport services will resume from today in a limited capacity for those attending to essential services on days travel restrictions are lifted, Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.
He said the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners will operate a limited number of bus services when travel restrictions are lifted, but those would not be allowed to cross the provincial boundaries. He said about 17 train services have been scheduled from today, adding that those too would not cross provincial borders.
He said trains would operate from Ambepussa, Meerigama, Veyangoda and Gampaha to Colombo Fort and from Colombo Fort back to those four destinations.
He added that two trains each would depart from Avissawella and Padukka Railway Stations. Five trains will operate on the coastal railway line. Those include two trains each upto Hikkaduwa and Negombo.
He added that other public transport services hitherto operated for essential services would continue during this period without any change. He, however, requested people to refrain from travelling unless for an essential purpose as the country is not fully open despite easing travel restrictions. He was speaking to the media in Katugastota, Kandy on Saturday.
He pointed out that the private bus owners had conceded that increasing bus fares was not a fair solution in the face of the fuel price hike. He added that a suitable alternative solution would be proposed in the future after discussing with the relevant stakeholders.
