Having begun in 1907 with the launch of the first motor bus service running between Chilaw and Colombo, Sri Lanka’s 119-year-old public bus transport system has witnessed what many would not hesitate to describe as a much-needed upgrade: the metro bus.
While at present two metro bus routes run between Makumbura and Kadawatha and between Makumbura and Colombo Fort, Lanka Metro Transit Ltd. (LMT) has announced the introduction of seven new metro bus routes across the Colombo Metropolitan Region to be launched in September.
With the State-owned Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) alone having recorded over 940 million passenger journeys in 2024, it is safe to say that a majority of commuters rely on the public bus system every single day.
The Sunday Morning spoke to the general public to hear commuters’ expectations and demands following the announcement of the metro bus service.
‘A comfortable experience’
For first-time users in Sri Lanka, the metro bus service offers a noticeably different experience from conventional public transport, according to Indunil Dissanayaka, 36, an independent consultant who said that the service provided a level of comfort, convenience, and accessibility that was rarely experienced on ordinary buses in Sri Lanka.
“Being an air-conditioned bus, I was able to travel freely in a very comfortable environment, free from the heat and dust experienced in ordinary buses,” Dissanayaka said.
He emphasised the buses’ low-floor design, which he said made entering and exiting easier and especially beneficial for senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and young children.
Dissanayaka also praised the cashless ticketing options available for passengers, which included the LMT-GO app, cards, and QR code payments. He added that being able to check bus arrival schedules on his phone reduced wait time and made travel more convenient. He also pointed out that the service prioritised passenger safety, with speed limits in place and drivers avoiding the racing that was frequent on some regular bus services.
According to him, the staff’s conduct is another positive aspect of the service. He praised the employees as well-trained and respectful, noting that such encounters were unusual in his experience as a frequent bus commuter.
Dissanayaka expressed particular appreciation of the peaceful environment, saying: “There was no deafening noise or music blaring like in ordinary buses. It was quiet and calm. I felt an incredible sense of mental peace.”
He also noted that the bus arrived on time, which added to the convenience of the service.
Looking ahead, Dissanayaka said that additional services such as free Wi-Fi and mobile charging stations near seats could enhance passenger experience. “I think a journey on the metro bus can change the attitudes people have held about Sri Lanka’s public transport service,” Dissanayaka said. “To me, it genuinely felt like travelling in a private vehicle.”
‘No need to deal with loud noises’
For 26-year-old software engineering student Randika Lakmal, travelling on the metro bus service has offered a more spacious, quiet, and comfortable experience compared to conventional buses.
Lakmal, who travels across Pettah, Rajagiriya, and Makumbura, said the service’s cashless ticketing system was fairly simple after installing the app and topping up his account with a card.
“When you board the bus, you tap the QR code on the scanning machine. A notification then pops up saying ‘Trip started’. When you get off at your destination, you need to tap the QR code on the machine again, which completes the trip,” he said.
He noted that passengers must remember to scan before exiting the bus, since otherwise they would be charged for the full distance of the route.
However, it is the actual space inside the bus that he finds most appealing. Unlike traditional buses, where passengers often feel confined when the vehicle becomes crowded, Lakmal said the metro bus provided considerably more space for both seated and standing passengers.
He credited the feeling of comfort to the low-floor design and high headroom, as well as the seating arrangement which left sufficient space for passengers to move around.
“There is good air conditioning inside. Since the bus is well-sealed, outside noise is low, because the doors are fully closed before moving,” he said.
Lakmal also emphasised accessibility, stating that the buses were designed to make boarding easier for people with disabilities and the floor could be lowered further if necessary. He stated that the combination of the spacious interior, efficient mobility, and limited stopping made the journey feel significantly different from travelling on a conventional bus.
Another significant advantage for him is the quiet environment which allows passengers to rest, study, or read throughout their journeys. “There is no music, no radio, nothing. It is an extremely silent bus inside. Anyone who wants to can sleep, study, or read a book. There is plenty of freedom,” Lakmal said.
While acknowledging that the buses could become somewhat congested at times, he said that his experience during daytime, non-peak hours were particularly comfortable and pleasant. “Especially during the daytime, it is like travelling in your own vehicle. It is very tranquil,” Lakmal observed.
‘Greater accessibility and convenience’
A major advantage of the metro bus, as pointed out by 20-year-old university student and sales intern Jayantha Abeywardana, who lives in Nugegoda, is the convenience and access the service offers to people who might find it difficult to stand still for long periods, such as persons with disabilities.
He said that the introduction of the new routes would lessen the crowd using the public bus service, making both spaces less suffocating.
As he uses public transport to travel to and from work, Abeywardana noted that such a system would make his daily commute less hectic and bring greater convenience to his life.
“I don’t want to stand on my way to work and arrive drenched in sweat. I want to travel with a calm mind, without being burdened by loud bus music,” he said.
Hopes for a better commute
Thusara Vibhuthi, a 26-year-old university student from Colombo, said that he hoped the public bus service would continue to develop and expand to more key routes in the future while maintaining the same quality and service.
“I also hope more people switch entirely to app- or card-based payments. The current metro buses are so much better than regular buses and I hope the new metro bus service will eventually cover all of Colombo,” he said.
Danushka Pradeep, a corporate worker who uses the metro bus service daily, noted that the service offered a more comfortable alternative to traditional public transport, although this convenience came with a higher fare.
Pradeep noted that with the service currently operating on routes that included localities such as Fort and Kadawatha, commuters were able to check available timings through the LMT-GO app. He added that the buses operated according to a fixed timetable and did not require reservations.
“When approaching bus stops, there is a recording in three languages informing passengers that the bus is stopping and that those getting off at the particular stop should prepare to get down,” he said. According to him, the announcements – which are delivered in Sinhala, Tamil, and English – make it easier for passengers, especially those unfamiliar with the route, to know when they have arrived at their destination.
Pradeep further emphasised the service’s convenience, pointing out that passengers could pay through card, cash, or QR codes, with card information transferred to the LMT-GO app for QR-based payments.
However, despite the benefits, he noted that the service was somewhat more expensive than conventional public transport. “I pay Rs. 225 per trip, so travelling to and from home costs around Rs. 550 per day,” he said. Nevertheless, Pradeep said that he considered the additional expense reasonable given the level of comfort provided.
“Compared to normal public transport, this is comfortable,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 20-year-old student from Colombo, who wished to remain anonymous, said that there were many problems with the public bus system, with overcrowding taking predominance.
“Public transport is not always bad, but during busy hours, the experience can be terrible. Sometimes the bus is so packed that you have to hold on with one hand just to remain standing, with barely enough space to move or even breathe. It’s really exhausting,” he said.
According to him, another drawback of highway buses is the time wasted. “I’ve had to wait for hours just to get a bus. The metro buses are better. Even when they’re crowded, there is air conditioning, so you don’t have to worry about arriving drenched with sweat.”