Government begins preparations to extend Metro bus service to Jaffna

The Government has begun preliminary work to extend its Metro luxury bus service to Jaffna District, with a route inspection and trial run carried out on Tuesday.

The exercise was aimed at identifying suitable roads for low-floor Metro buses, assessing technical feasibility and evaluating the infrastructure required to operate the service in Jaffna.

A preliminary discussion on introducing the service had earlier been held at the Northern Province Project Director’s Office of the Road Development Authority on Jaffna’s coastal road.

The Government aims to launch the Jaffna Metro bus service by mid-2027 and plans to accelerate the preparatory work required for the project.

During the route inspection, officials examined roads suitable for low-floor buses, the technical requirements of the vehicles, possible locations for new bus terminals in and around the city and the provision of parking facilities for private vehicles near the proposed terminals.

Deputy Transport Minister Dr Prasanna Gunasena said the Metro bus service, which began as a pilot project with 10 buses, had now expanded to a fleet of 122.

He said the service currently covered all three districts in the Western Province — Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.

Based on the experience gained in Colombo, Jaffna and Kandy have been selected for the next phase of the programme, Gunasena said.

He added that the project would be implemented through Sri Lanka Metro Transit under a national plan extending to 2029 and would be fully financed by the Government.