Sri Lankan government to buy 50 electric buses for proposed Bus Rapid Transit
The Sri Lankan government has decided to purchase 50 electric buses for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which is aimed at improving the public transport service in urban areas.
The Government Information Department has stated that the Cabinet of Ministers has last week approved a proposal by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva for the purchase of the 50 buses by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).
According to the state news service, the SLTB has 6,300 buses in running condition with 2,467 buses being older than 10 years and subject to breakdowns which disrupt regular bus services.
Reports further states that the SLTB requires 7,257 total buses to be deployed according to time tables and all run on diesel, contributing to air pollution.
The traffic congestion in the city has worsened due to the shift to private transport by commuters.
OSL take:
The move by the Sri Lankan government purchase 50 electric buses indicates the government’s policy decision to move towards transport systems that are less reliant on fossil fuels. The government has also offered incentives for importers of hybrid and electric vehicles. Vehicle importers could use this opportunity introduce hybrid and electric vehicles to the country.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20181022/Z_6 |