The third depot established to facilitate the Metro Bus service introduced to improve the efficiency of urban public transport commenced operations today (9) in Ekala, Ja-Ela.
The new depot was officially opened under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena, with the participation of Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha.
Twenty new Metro buses are scheduled to be deployed from the Ekala depot following the commencement of its operational and administrative services.
The Metro Bus route from Ekala in the Gampaha District to Thalangama in the Colombo District covers a distance of 29.9 kilometres and includes 21 designated Metro Bus stops.
The stops are located at Thalangama, Battaramulla Junction, Sethsiripaya, NAITA, Rajagiriya, Castle Hospital, Borella YMBA, Campbell Park, Dematagoda, Peliyagoda (New Kelani Bridge), Peliyagoda 02, Hekitta Junction, Wattala, Hendala, Mabola, Mahabage, Kandana, Welisamipitiya, Ja-Ela, CTB Junction and Ekala.
The Metro Bus service was initially launched as a pilot project on two routes. Five additional Metro Bus routes have now been introduced, bringing the total number of routes to seven. The Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd. are jointly working to operate the seven routes from September.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaveera, Gampaha District Member of Parliament Stephanie Fernando, Ja-Ela Municipal Council Chairman Roshan Nonis, public representatives, senior officials of the relevant ministries and institutions, representatives of the SLTB, Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd., Maga Neguma Consultancy Company, Ja-Ela Municipal Council and Ja-Ela Divisional Secretariat, as well as a large number of residents, attended the occasion.
