Seven low-floor buses provided under a grant from the Government of Japan have arrived at Hambantota Port, marking the latest step in efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s public transport sector.
According to NewsFirst, Cabinet approval for accepting the buses as a grant was granted in May this year. The vehicles are now in the country and are expected to be deployed to improve services for commuters.
Low-floor buses are designed to make boarding easier for elderly passengers, people with disabilities and those with limited mobility, removing the high steps found on conventional buses. Officials said the donation is intended to improve accessibility and convenience while contributing to the modernisation of public transport.
The grant is the latest in a series of transport-sector projects backed by Japan, a long-standing development partner of Sri Lanka that has supported road, rail and urban mobility initiatives over many years. Improving the comfort and accessibility of public transport has been a recurring priority as authorities seek to encourage greater use of bus and rail services.
Authorities are expected to announce the routes on which the new buses will operate once they are prepared for service. The addition of accessible vehicles is seen as a modest but meaningful upgrade for passengers who have long faced difficulties using the existing fleet.
