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.
Posted on Tuesday, November 08, 2011 @ 02:57:11 LKT
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