Sri Lanka's First Expreessway First Stage to Open in July. Bus Services Planned

15th March 2011, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's road development and transport authorities have begun planning bus services for the public on the island's first expressway part of which is set to open in July, an official said.

Express bus services will be allowed on the southern expressway stopping only at the 11 interchanges connecting it to the road network, Road Development Authority director-general R W R Pemasiri said.

The first stage of the expressway, from Makumbura in Kottawa to Piniduwa in Galle, will be opened to the public in July.

The maximum speed on the expressway will be 100 kilometres an hour and it will sharply reduce travel time between the capital Colombo and the island's south.

The RDA had begun talks with the National Transport Commission, which regulates bus services, on bus services on the expressway, Pemasiri said.

The authorities are discussing licensing, the number of buses and their frequency on the expressway to cater to travellers without personal vehicles, he said.

A fuel station will be set up at Dodangoda in Kalutara on the expressway.

Vehicles like three-wheeled auto-rickshaws, motorcycles, and tractors, and overloaded trucks will not be allowed on the expressway, Pemasiri said.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Southern Expressway Partly Opens by Mid Year to Fast Moving Vehicles