Park and Ride to save fuel

Irangika Range

The Government is planing to save fuel worth some Rs. 40 billion wasted due to the huge traffic congestion in Colombo City by setting up three new Vehicle Parks in Katubedda, Peliyagoda and Nugegoda for the utilisation of around 175,000 motorists who enter Colombo daily.

It is also proposed to deploy super luxury bus services to transport these commuters to Colombo under the Park and Ride concept.

The first Vehicle Park will be set up in Katubedda by August as the first phase of the project.

Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma told the Daily News that traffic congestion has largely contributed to fuel wastage in Colombo. This was revealed in a survey conducted by the Moratuwa University headed by the National Transport Commission Chairman Prof. Amal Kumarage. This is a heavy burden on the economy and with the implementation of this project, this wastage is likely to be reduced.

He said according to the survey, around 833,000 commuters entered Colombo daily out of which only 83,000 are railway commuters. Out of the 750,000, around 175,000 commuters travel daily by car to Colombo, which has led to the huge traffic congestion. An additional 100,000 vehicles have been registered in the Colombo Municipal Council area as well.

This is a burden to the country and the Supreme Court has informed the NTC to formulate an effective plan as a solution for this problem. "We have decided to set up three major vehicle parks in Katubedda, Peliyagoda and Nugegoda to facilitate around 170,000 Motorists who access Colombo through these three major cities.

Then they will be transported to Colombo city by the Super Luxury bus service.