Buses in Sri Lanka

Buses in Sri Lanka

Buses are the principal mode of transport in Sri Lanka. Any town of even the remotest value will be served by fairly regular connections, while buses travel on the island’s major highways every few seconds. That’s the good news. The rear seats in large buses are the best place to sit, both because there’s usually enough legroom to stow luggage comfortably under the seat in front, and because you won’t have a very clear view of the front or whatever the driver is attempting.

Buses come in various forms. The basic distinction is between government or CTB (Ceylon Transport Board) buses and private services. Almost all CTB buses are vehicles, painted red. These tend to be the cheapest on the road.

Private buses Independent bus companies have vehicles ranging from late-model Japanese coaches used on intercity-express runs to minibusses on short runs between towns and villages. Private air-con intercity buses cover some major routes. For long-distance travel they are more comfortable and faster than other bus services . At their most basic, Private buses  are essentially the same as CTB buses, the only difference is that private buses will usually be painted white and emblazoned with the stickers of whichever company runs it. Some private companies operate slightly faster services, again in large buses known variously as “semi-express”, “express”, or “inter-city”, which make fewer stops en route.

Note that completion of the Southern Expressway and Katunayake expressway has sparked the introduction of express services in fully modern air-con coaches between ( Colombo’s suburbs and Galle/Matara ) , ( Colombo’s suburbs and Katunayake/Negombo)

At the top end of the scale, private minibuses, often described as “express” and/or “luxury” services offer the fastest way of getting around. These are smaller vehicles with air-conditioning and tinted, curtained windows, though the tiny seats and lack of luggage space can make them more uncomfortable than CTB services, especially if you’re tall. In theory, express minibuses only make limited stops at major bus stations en route, although in practice it’s up to the whim of the driver and/or conductor as to where they stop and for how long, and how many people they’re willing to pack in.

Bus fares are extremely cheap. For journeys on non-express buses, count on around Rs.20 per hour’s travel, rising to Rs.40–50 on express minibuses. Note that on the latter you’ll usually have to pay the full fare for the entire route served by the bus, irrespective of where you get off.

If you do want to get off before the end of the journey, let the driver/conductor know when you board. Services on longer routes and less frequently served routes run to fixed timetables. Services on shorter on particularly popular routes tend to leave as soon as the vehicle is full. Seat reservations can be also made for few routes.

The larger terminals often have some kind of information booth. usually little wire-mesh enclosures in the middle of the station – whose staff will usually be able to point you in the right direction. If arriving at a larger terminal by tuktuk, it’s a good idea to enlist the help of your driver in locating the right bus.

Express services generally only halt at bus terminals or other recognized stops. Other types of services will usually stop wherever there’s a passenger to be picked up – just stand by the roadside and stick an arm out.

Disclaimer: The bus fares mentioned in this article are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please check with the relevant bus operators for the most up-to-date pricing before planning your journey.

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