Police will begin stricter enforcement of bus-priority lane regulations in Colombo and surrounding areas from Tuesday, September 29, while 104 luxury Metro buses are scheduled to join passenger services.
The programme covers seven bus-priority lanes in the Western Province.
Police say the designated lanes operate during two peak periods:
- 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
During those periods, other vehicles generally may not travel in or park in the designated bus lanes.
Limited exceptions
Police say motorists may enter the lanes when necessary because of:
- an emergency
- avoidance of an accident
- severe traffic congestion; or
- the need to make a required turn.
The restrictions should therefore not be described as an absolute prohibition under every circumstance.
Not limited to Metro buses
Police have also clarified that the priority lanes are not exclusively for the new Metro Bus service.
Other passenger-transport buses may use the designated lanes.
Metro Bus Chairman S.M.U.P. Thilakaratne said 104 luxury buses are scheduled to be added to the service from September 29.
Police say checks will be carried out and legal action may be taken against motorists who violate the bus-lane regulations.
Existing lanes, stricter enforcement
The September 29 change should be described primarily as stricter enforcement and a service expansion.
It is not the creation of an entirely new seven-lane bus-priority network.