Mar 07, Colombo: Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has inaugurated a new luxury bus service to the capital city of Colombo on access roads from the outskirts.

Minister of Public Transport Kumara Welgama at a function held in Moratuwa yesterday inaugurated the service deploying 100 new super luxury buses to ply on access roads.

The new bus service, launched to ease traffic congestion in the city, is expected to reduce traffic and travel time and encourage the commuters using private vehicles to enter the city to take public transportation.

The air-conditioned buses have capacity for 100 passengers and are equipped with handicap access and facilities to charge mobile phones. The fare will be double the normal fare on the routes.

They will be in service during peak hours in the morning and evening between Colombo and Moratuwa, Negombo, Nittambuwa, Hanwella, Kaduwela, Homagama and Bandaragama via Kesbewa.

The SLTB will set up a new depot at Katubedda for maintenance of the luxury buses. Sri Lanka Ashok Leyland will carry out the maintenance services.

The Minister has said that the SLTB will add 20 more buses to the service on the 14th of this month.