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Tuesday, 8 November 2011 01:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Modern, spacious and world class type articulated buses each carrying 275 passengers could be a reality soon in the city under an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport.
A pilot run is slated for early next year with the importation of the first ever articulated bus at a cost of $ 400,000. Sources said that if and when deployed the articulated bus, widely used internationally, will uplift public passenger transportation in Sri Lanka to a new level.
Confirming its intent, Minister of Transport Kumar Welgama recently amended the Motor Traffic Act expanding its scope to accommodate the new vehicle.
The archaic regulations had previously set limits on the maximum length and width of vehicles that can be deployed on Sri Lankan roads.
As per the new Gazette, dimensions have been enhanced with maximum length being 24 metres as opposed to 10.5 metres previously and width of a vehicle expanded to 2.6 metres from 2.5 metres. Amendments have also brought in the category of “Articulated buses” overall length of which is 16 metres.
Launch of articulated buses is also timed ahead of the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which Sri Lanka hosts in 2013.
Sources said that the new service planned to cover around 15 kilometres within the city will closely mirror the route once used by the tram service.
According to Wikipedia, the Northern and Central areas of the City of Colombo had an electric Tram Car system (42” Gauge). This system commenced operations about 1900 and was discontinued by 1960. The original operator was the Colombo Electric Tram Car and Lighting Company Ltd. (represented by Boustead Brothers), and after an infamous Tram Car Strike, the Colombo Municipal Council took over operations. Subsequently, the tram car system was phased out.
