Steps are being taken to expand the Metro Bus Service beyond the Western Province to the Galle, Kandy and Jaffna regions, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake stated.

Speaking at the inauguration of operations at the Kadawatha Metro Depot Yard today (7), the Minister stated that the Metro Bus fleet is expected to increase to 122 buses this month.

A Cabinet paper has also been submitted to procure an additional 50 buses, which is expected to increase the fleet to 172 buses by the end of this year or early next year.

The Minister further stated that the private sector will be given opportunities to operate bus services in agreement with the Metro company.

Meanwhile, plans are underway to construct four Metro depots in Talangama, Kadawatha, Ekala and Ratmalana. The Metro Bus Service currently operates from Makumbura to Kadawatha via Maharagama, with 15 new buses also planned for the route.