This unique opportunity will add new value to public transport in Sri Lanka – Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana

Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana yesterday inaugurated a formal and streamlined three-wheeler service from the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre which uses around 12,000 passengers per day.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said that passengers have an opportunity of booking three-wheelers as per their needs more easily and reliably through a mobile APP based on a fixed time schedule. Agreements have been signed with 76 members of the United Three-wheeler Association who were operating three-wheelers in the proximity of Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre concerning the various inconveniences caused to the passengers due to the informally operated three-wheeler services earlier. Meanwhile, information about the three-wheelers including drivers names and vehicle numbers to arrive in order of priority, will be displayed on digital screens set up at the centre for 24 hours a day.

In addition to three-wheeler service, an electric bicycle service will also be introduced on a rental basis at the premises.

The Minister said “this is a unique opportunity which will add new value to the public transport in Sri Lanka through the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre. The passengers will have an opportunity to plan their journey more systematically through the mobile phone in their hand. A passenger who boards a tree-wheeler from this place can check all the necessary information including details of the driver and the destination. So, the passenger can have a safe transportation experience through this move.

Our goal is to convert all three-wheelers in Sri Lanka to electric powered three-wheelers. Under the e-mobility policy, three-wheelers that are currently running on diesel and petrol will have to be converted to electric three-wheelers. Through this, three-wheeler owners will have huge benefits including fuel cost saving. Accordingly, we are taking steps to give special priority to convert the three-wheelers running around Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre to electricity after establishing the necessary charging facilities at the premises.

Currently, the world is rapidly transitioning away from the use of fossil fuels and towards electric cars. But, our country is a bit behind in this process. Focusing on that, we have planned to deploy two hundred electric buses in the Western Province in the next few months. Thus, if the necessary changes are not taken to maintain an environmentally friendly transport service, it will not be possible to maintain the related industries for a long time”.

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