Although the new online bus ticket booking system has been launched, it has been observed that many routes still do not offer booking facilities.
Despite the introduction of the website www.busticket.gov.lk for reserving seats on buses, including Super Luxury services, the platform often shows no available buses for several intended routes.
However, the Government announced today that long-distance passengers will now be required to pay a nominal fee of Rs. 30 to reserve seats online.
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Ratnayake, stated that long-distance passengers now have the facility to reserve seats online.
“We started this as a pilot project with private buses. Passengers can check availability and arrive at the bus stop accordingly. There is no need to rush. This system helps eliminate issues that existed in the seat reservation process,” he said.
He further noted that passengers previously faced problems such as losing reserved seats or being forced to pay excessive fees. In some instances, reservation charges ranged between Rs. 200 and Rs. 300.
“With the new system, a seat can be reserved for as little as Rs. 30,” the Minister said.
Mr. Ratnayake also stated that the system is convenient and beneficial for both bus owners and staff.
Seat reservations through the online system can be made in three ways: via the website using a mobile phone or computer, by calling the hotline (011-200 1266), or by using KIOSK machines installed at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Center.
