Lanka Metro Transit
 | |
 A Foton C12 "Lanka Metro Transit" Bus in "Inclusive Mobility" livery. | |
| Parent | Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 8 October 2025 |
| Headquarters | Wing C, 7th Floor, Sethsiripaya Stage II, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka |
| Locale | Greater Colombo Metropolitan Region |
| Service area | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Service type | Bus rapid transit / Urban Express |
| Routes | 2 |
| Stops | 22 |
| Hubs | Makumbura Multimodal Center, Kottawa |
| Fleet | 121 |
| Fuel type | Auto Diesel |
| Operator | Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd |
Chief executive | B.M. Piyathilake |
| Website | lankametro.lk |
Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd, abbreviated as LMT, is a state-affiliated transport company in Sri Lanka established to operate a modernised urban bus network. Launched under the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the service is designed to provide a high-quality "Metro Bus" alternative to private vehicle use, specifically targeting traffic congestion in the Colombo Metropolitan Region.[1]
History
[edit]The establishment of Lanka Metro Transit was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in June 2025 as part of a national strategy to modernise public transport.[2] The administrative operations for the company officially commenced in October 2025, headquartered at Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla.
In February 2026, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the service would begin passenger operations in August 2026. The project was introduced to address the "unplanned growth" of Sri Lankan cities by implementing a "bus cluster" system, where a formal company manages the deployment of high-standard vehicles.[3]
On 21 April 2026, the pilot project operations of LMT began from Makumbura Multimodal Center, and were launched to Fort and Kadawatha.[4]
Operations
[edit]The transit system focuses on several key pillars including the digitalisation of public transportation, to create a safe and environmentally friendly public transport system, that is reliable and that can be used by all, and to foster economic development.[5]
Infrastructure and Fleet
[edit]
On 11 March 2026, 10 specialised, air-conditioned low-floor buses designed for passengers with special needs arrived from China under 'Clean Sri Lanka' initiative. These buses are Foton C12s, and can accommodate a total passenger capacity of around 80+ passengers, these buses are air conditioned and feature QR/card-based fare collection systems, allowing users to pay either with their phones utilising the LMT-GO application to scan a QR code or by paying with either cash or card with the conducter. The service includes specialised wheelchair systems, which can be deployed manually. The drivers and Conducters of LMT will undergo special training provided by the Ministry of Social Services, covering bus technology, passenger safety, professional ethics, passenger care, and basic sign language for communicating with passengers with disabilities.[6]
The main incentive is to increase public ridership and to curtail the traffic congestion while also providing a high quality service for all in major parts of Sri Lanka, such as Colombo, Galle, Kandy and various other districts throughout the country.[7]
On the 23rd of July 2026, 07 new Refurbished low floor buses arrived from Japan, these buses are Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Star MP35s, previously operated by the Yokohoma Municipal Bus organisation, they primarily served from 2005/2007 to 2018/2023 before being withdrawn from service. These buses will be deployed in the coming months to the LMT fleet following retrofits.[8]
On the 29th of July, 2026, A shipment of 104 Foton C12 low floor buses arrived at Colombo port, these buses will be fitted with card‑based fare collection systems and, following installation and testing, will be placed into service by the end of August, these buses will also be deployed on 9 routes connecting Colombo and it's suburbs.[9]With plans to expedite the launch of the second phase of the project in the city of Kandy and other major cities.[10]
On the 4th of August, 2026 the Cabinet of Sri Lanka approved the purchase of 50 more additional low floor buses for LMT, these buses will be deployed by the end of the year[11].
| Image | Model | No. of buses | On order | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Foton C12
|
114 | 50 | These buses are Air conditioned Low-floor buses, which are designed with manual wheelchair ramps and dedicated priority seating. | [12][13] |
 |
Mitsubishi Fuso Aero Star (2nd generation, MP35/)  |
7 | N/a | Refurbished low-floor buses imported under a Grant by Japan. These buses will be deployed in the coming months to the LMT fleet. | [14][8] |
Depots
[edit]After the launch of the pilot project, plans were underway to construct depots across the Western Province of Sri Lanka to maintain these new buses, The first depot commenced construction in Kadawatha on the 4th of May 2026, and is scheduled for completion on the 30th of July 2026, the Kadawatha depot is one of the main depots that are planned.[15] New depots are planned in Ekala, Ratmalana, Homagama and Thalangama, bringing the total number of Metro depots in the Western Province to five. In addition the Ekala Depot will serve as the main central service centre for major fleet repairs and heavy maintenance. [16]
Routes
[edit]The current fleet of around 121 buses run mainly on seven main routes in Greater Colombo Metropolitan region. The plans for the second phase include expansion into the Jaffna, Kandy and Galle districts[11], with a long-term goal of serving eight major cities within three years.[17]
| Route | Terminals | Via | Days of operation | Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | ||||
| CM01 | Makumbura Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) |
Pettah / Fort Central Bus Stand, Pettah |
Pannipitiya → Battaramulla → Borella | 23.3 km | |
| CM02 | Millennium City | Fort Central Bus Stand, Pettah |
Athurugiriya → Malabe → Battaramulla | 22.3 km | |
| CM03 | Makumbura Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) |
Kadawatha Kadawatha Multimodal Center (KMC) |
National Cancer Institute | Daily | 34.8 km |
| CM04 | Dematagoda Dematagoda Railway Station |
Panadura | Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia → Moratuwa | 14 km | |
| CM05 | Battaramulla Thalangama LMT Depot |
Ekala Ekala LMT Depot |
Rajagiriya → Wattala → Ja-Ela | 29.9 km | |
| CM06 | Kollupitiya Kollupitiya Railway Station |
Bambalapitiya | Liberty Plaza → Town Hall → Havelock City | 23.3 km | |
| CM08 | Kesbewa Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC) |
Pettah Central Bus Stand, Pettah |
35.7 km | ||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Staff (12 February 2026). "Lanka Metro Transit bus service from August". Newswire. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ↑ Priyan (3 June 2025). "Cabinet gives green light to establish Metro Bus Unit". The Island. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ↑ "Govt. plans to introduce Lanka Metro Transit bus service". Ada Derana. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ↑ "Accessible bus service launched to improve transport for persons with disabilities". Ceylon Daily News. 21 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "Lanka Metro Transit — Sri Lanka Urban Bus Service". lankametro.lk. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April". Ada Derana. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ↑ "Govt Moves to Modernise Urban Transport with New Fleet of Low-Floor Buses". Lanka News Web. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Sri Lanka receives 7 lor floor buses from Japan". 23 July 2026. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ English, NewsFirst. "104 Metro Buses Imported To Boost Public Transport Services". english.newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 30 July 2026.
- ↑ "Lanka Metro Bus project second phase planned for Kandy". Hiru News. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Kandy, Galle and Jaffna set for Metro Bus rollout as Cabinet approves 50 more buses". Newswire. 4 August 2026. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
- ↑ "Low-floor AC buses for persons with disabilities to hit Colombo roads soon". Newswire. 12 March 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ↑ "More than 100 new Metro buses to arrive in Sri Lanka in August". adaderana.lk. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
- ↑ "Japan signs grant to provide eight low-floor buses for public transportation in Sri Lanka". adaderana.lk. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ depot, In: News Tagged: Metro bus; Gunasena, Prasanna (4 May 2026). "Construction of first Metro Bus Depot begins in Kadawatha". Newswire. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ Metro Bus Digital Platform (MBDP) — Volume 1: Bidding Document (PDF) (Report). Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt) Ltd. 2026. p. 77. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "Govt. expects metro bus service will set new standard". Daily FT. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.