Most of the transport needs of the passengers are fulfilled by public transport services especially buses and trains, in our country as well as in the world. Special attention is paid to electric trains as the leading means of passenger transport in the future world. A major goal is to make electric trains one of the major modes of transportation within and between countries by 2030/2050.
“Year 2024 will be a real turning point for entire transport sector in Sri Lanka with many radical changes”, said Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
It has been predicted that passengers will soon turn to electric trains for a safer, reliable, efficient and effective transportation service. International organizations including the Asian Development Bank have paid special attention to the development of the concept of electric trains between countries. Special attention has been paid to such electric railway systems that integrate many countries of the world under many programmes such as the China-centred One Belt One Road programme. Thereby, the electric railway service will become the most important means of transportation in the world by the year 2050.
We are also trying to convert the 60 km distance of railway track from Avissawella to Colombo on the Kelani Valley Railway line in Sri Lanka, into a single electric railway line.
In addition to the existing Makumbura multimodal transport centre in Sri Lanka, at least three more multimodal transport centres are expected to be established in Sri Lanka in the coming year under the Japanese international cooperation Agency. As it is, a large part of the construction of the Kadawatha multi-modal transport centre is currently completed.
It will completely end within the next year. The Cabinet approved the commencement of the activities of the Kandy Multi-Modal Transport Centre under World Bank assistance. This project, which has been delayed for a long time, will be able to start next year.
A cabinet paper has also been presented to start a multi-modal transportation hub for Greater Colombo by combining Colombo Fort Railway Station, Central Bus Station and Bastian Mawatha Bus Station.
The theme of this year’s World Public Transport Day is to pay more attention to issues such as creating an environment conducive for women to travel without fear and suspicion in public transport. It is the consensus of the world to use this year’s Transport Day to create a public dialogue in order to resolve these conditions.
For that purpose, there should be a dialogue in the country to create an environment conducive for women to use public transport sans any fear or doubt.
A series of special programmes organized by the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre in conjunction with the World Public Transport Day on November 10 was presided over by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana.
An awareness programme organized in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency on combating violence against women, ensuring safety and comfort in public transport began with the Minister’s leadership and simultaneously a programme of displaying awareness notices on buses was also implemented.
A special medical clinic organized for the drivers and conductors of public passenger transport buses was also held in the premises of the multimodal transport centre.
An air emission awareness programme was also implemented by the Motor Traffic Department.
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