Priority Bus Service for Persons with Disabilities to Begin Next Month

13-Mar-2026

.

A dedicated priority bus service for persons with disabilities will be launched next month under the guidance of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development as part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

The initiative aims to guarantee the transport rights of persons with disabilities, a group that has received insufficient attention within Sri Lanka’s public transport system.

The project is being implemented in line with the government’s vision of building “a nation that ensures equal opportunities for all and protects human dignity”.

With an allocation of Rs.430.7 million, the programme goes beyond providing transportation and forms part of a broader series of public welfare initiatives already undertaken under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

Its main objective is to remove physical barriers in the public transport system and create conditions that allow persons with disabilities to travel freely and safely while integrating with society.

As the first phase of the project, 10 modern air-conditioned buses equipped with low-floor access suitable for wheelchair users arrived at the Hambantota Port on March 10.

The buses will be transported to Colombo on March 14 and formally handed over to the Metro Bus Company.

Each bus has 33 seats and can carry up to 80 passengers at a time. Special technological features have been incorporated to ensure the safety of wheelchair users.

As a pilot project, the service will operate from the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre.

Accordingly, buses will run between Makumbura and Pettah, and between Makumbura and Kadawatha, once every 40 minutes during morning and evening peak hours.

The routes have been designed to directly serve major medical centres, including the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital and the Colombo National Hospital.

A total of 28 drivers and conductors from the Sri Lanka Transport Board selected for the service will receive special training conducted by the Ministry of Social Services.

The training will cover bus technology, passenger safety, professional conduct and sign language for communication with persons with disabilities.

Depending on the success of the pilot programme, the government plans to import an additional 100 buses by August to expand the service nationwide.

In addition, under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, bus stations will either be renovated or newly constructed to meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities.