Micro first corporate to launch luxury bus service

Monday, 30 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Veteran automobile engineer, Dr. Lawrence Perera will make his venture to be the first corporate to herald a new phase in public transportation with the launch of Micro bus service next month.

The Company has already imported eight low-floor air-conditioned buses to be deployed on the popular routes identified as the six main corridors to Colombo having a demand for 200 new buses according to the Ministry of Transport. The routes are Moratuwa-Pettah, Kesbewa-Pettah, Negombo-Pettah, Gampaha-Pettah, Kaduwela-Fort (via Malabe) and Homagama-Pettah.

Ministry sources said that the launch of Micro Bus by the firm owned by Dr. Lawrence Perera is expected in February and will initially service the Negombo-Moratuwa route via Pettah. The model of buses used by Micro can transport around 115 people including 45 seated.

The entry by the private sector corporate follows the successful conclusion of a pilot run for six months initiated by the Ministry. This experiment saw Volvo, Tata and Ashok Leyland buses being deployed but Micro has become the first corporate to invest and import to achieve a head-start. Dr. Perera has a knack for pioneering initiatives with Micro car being a classic example.

“During our trials of air-conditioned large luxury buses between Moratuwa-Pettah and Negombo-Pattah we saw good response despite the fair being two and half time above the normal ticket price. This shows there is demand from the middle and upper middle class to use the service for comfort and convenience. The opportunity is open for corporates on a first come first served basis,” Ministry officials told the Daily FT.

The Transport Ministry has already roped in corporates to tap prospects in luxury rail service. Already Expo Rail (by Expolanka Holdings) and Rajadhani Express have deployed luxury carriages to select popular services of the Sri Lanka Railway with much success.

Whilst encouraging private sector investment and participation, the Government also plans to upgrade the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) services in these six corridors.

“The overall objective is to encourage more people who are at present using individual vehicles to opt for public transportation. This would help reduce traffic and economise fuel cost,” officials added.

Micro will deploy eight luxury buses during the peak hours of morning and evening within 15 minute interval.

“Though city buses are a new concept in Sri Lanka, it is common and highly patronised in global cities,” officials added.