2 February 2022 12:29 pm Views - 3271
While expanding the luxury bus service from Makumbura Multi-modal Transport Centre (MTC) to the expressway, 25 inter-provincial luxury bus services on 17 routes were launched from the MTC.
While inaugraing the event, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said earlier that the luxury bus service was operated only to Galle and Matara.
Accordingly, luxury bus services operate up to Monaragala, Badulla, Embilipitiya, Ampara, Akkaraipattu, Kandy, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Madulsima, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Kaduruwela and Karadugala from the MTC.
The 25 permanent route permits were issued yesterday for interprovincial buses by the National Transport Commission (NTC).
By initiating these long distance bus services from the MTC, the NTC said the severe traffic congestion in Colombo will be resolved and passengers availing of these long distance services will also be able to park their vehicles through 'Park and Ride' system.
The entire bus industry was found collapsed in the face of the COVID epidemic, and we have to work again to get out of it.
However, in order to prevent further spread of COVID in the country, health care measures should be taken while using transport facilities, the minister said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)