Government set to expand Metro transit service

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an equity capital injection of Rs 1.0675 billion for Lanka Metro Transit (Private) Limited to expand and enhance its urban public transport network.

Established in October 2025 as a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, the company was created to drive the modernization of the country's public transit system.

It currently runs a pilot urban transport service in Colombo utilizing 10 low-floor buses acquired through the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, a pilot the government notes has proven to be both commercially viable and well-received by the public.

To build on this success, Lanka Metro Transit plans to introduce an additional 112 low-floor buses starting in September, necessitating a substantial upgrade to local transit infrastructure.

 The newly approved funding will be disbursed in stages, allocating Rs 800 million in 2026 for infrastructure expansion and Rs 267.5 million in 2027 to fund ongoing operations.

These capital resources will be directed toward building a fully equipped central workshop in Ekala, establishing modern bus depots in Thalangama, Kadawatha, Ratmalana, and Homagama, and upgrading internal roadways and parking facilities.

The investment proposal, submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, aims to empower Lanka Metro Transit to successfully scale up modern public transport services across the Colombo metropolitan area.