Sri Lanka, Sept. 7 -- The government plans to expand the Metro Bus Service to 172 buses by the end of this year or early next year, with the programme also expected to extend beyond the Western Province to Galle, Kandy and Jaffna.

Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake said the Metro bus fleet would increase to 122 buses this month as part of efforts to provide more efficient and comfortable public transport services to the urban population.

He said a Cabinet paper had already been submitted seeking approval to purchase a further 50 buses for the Metro service. Once these buses are added, the fleet is expected to reach 172.

The Minister made these remarks while attending the official commencement of operati...