Over 270 repaired SLTB buses returned to service

Saturday, 2 January 2021 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A fleet of 273 buses belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), which were taken out of service due to dilapidation, were repaired and re-added to the passenger transportation this week, the President’s Media Unit (PMD) said yesterday.

The handover was done at an event held at the Galle Face Green on Thursday under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The repaired buses will be utilised to meet the passenger transportation needs in rural areas throughout the country.

The project is based on a concept by the State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama, and was implemented under the guidance of Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge.

In order to rebuild the collapsed economy, vehicle imports were restricted after the new Government came into power. As a result, there occurred a shortage of buses for passenger transport. Launched as a solution to this issue, the new project will save foreign exchange spent on importing buses.

The 273 buses that were completely out of service at 107 depots island-wide have been repaired at a cost of Rs. 115 million. The project is being carried out by SLTB depots and Lakdiva Engineering with the full support of the Sri Lanka Public Transport Employees Union.

After inspecting the standard of the buses, the President had a cordial chat with the SLTB workers and motivated them. Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge, State Minister Dilum Amunugama, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, and SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka were also present.