News
Vanishing bus routes: Different transport modes and links may ease commuter woes
View(s):By Nathara Abeywickrema
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Colombo and the Western Province witnessed a disturbing but little-talked-about trend: the disappearance of several bus routes.
Route numbers such as 104 (Wattala to Bambalapitiya), 155 (Mattakkuliya to Soysapura), 140 (Meethotamulla to Kollupitiya), and 168 (Nugegoda to Kotahena) have vanished, are vanishing, or are only partially operational, raising serious concerns about public transport services in Sri Lanka.
Waiting for a bus that is few and far between. Pic by Eshan Fernando
Bus routes that were once bustling with passengers are now either intermittently in service or discontinued. This shift has had a profound impact, especially on people who rely on buses as their main means of transport.
Commuters from suburban and rural areas find themselves increasingly stranded, often forced to resort to more expensive alternatives or face longer and more complex journeys to reach their destinations.
One of the most pressing issues is the financial viability of operating these routes, said Panduka Swarnahansa, chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).
Rising fuel costs, inflation, and the maintenance of ageing bus fleets have strained the resources of state-owned and private bus operators. With dwindling passenger numbers on certain routes, particularly during off-peak hours, operators are finding it increasingly difficult to sustain operations, said Mr. Swarnahansa.
“These routes are increasingly becoming ineffective due to a lack of profitability. The 115 bus route, for instance, no longer generates sufficient income to cover the expenditure,” he said. “This makes it incredibly difficult to sustain the bus industry, as the profit margins are almost nonexistent.’’
One problem is the lack of new buses.
“We have not received enough new buses since 2017,” he said. “With rising operational expenses and ageing vehicles, maintaining the routes as they are has become nearly impossible,” Mr. Swarnahansa claimed.
He said that if the SLTB buys more buses this year, the 168 route could be fully restored.
The disappearance of key bus routes serves as a stark reminder of the need for investment and innovation in public transport.
In response, the Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA) of the Western Province has begun to address the decline in bus services.
According to RPTA Chairman Prasanna Sanjeewa, tenders were called to transfer the operations of the affected routes to new operators, but there were no takers.
Among measures to revive the public transport system is the introduction of a multi-modal city service. This aims to integrate various modes of transport, including buses, trains, and other transit options, to create a more cohesive and efficient network. The goal is reliable and convenient transport, even if traditional bus routes are no longer available, Mr. Sanjeewa said.
This is expected to ease some issues caused by the discontinuation of routes.
By improving connections between different transport modes and streamlining the overall network, it is hoped that commuters will experience less disruption, said Mr. Sanjeewa.
While these measures are a step in the right direction, the road to restoring and improving Colombo’s public transport system remains challenging. The successful implementation of the multi-modal city service and other proposed solutions will be crucial in addressing the current deficiencies and ensuring that the transport network can effectively serve Sri Lankans.
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