Park And Ride Service

Le Sabre · March 10, 2009

I sure many of you must have read about the Park and Ride service to be started soon.

Do you thing that this plan will be good and will be succesful.

Also how are the parking facilities at the stops, are they secure and safe.

Not sure of the fares and how much it will cost.

Good chance for the Micro Luxary bus to get on the road too.

Also check out the info at the link below.

http://www.ntc.gov.lk/CityLiner%20Co...proposals1.pdf

Edited March 10, 2009 by Le Sabre

Devinda_Z · March 12, 2009

the link doesn't work i'm afraid

Le Sabre · March 12, 2009

Hope this works.

It has the details.

I dont think they have got any new photos of the sites and the buses yet.

http://www.ntc.gov.lk/CityLiner%20Coach%20...0proposals1.pdf

Jayathu · March 13, 2009

Le Sabre said:
Hope this works.
It has the details.

I dont think they have got any new photos of the sites and the buses yet.

http://www.ntc.gov.lk/CityLiner%20Coach%20...0proposals1.pdf

The price is Rs. 170 per head per trip...

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections...spx?ARTID=43158

And this park is situated on the right hand side of the road, therefore vehicles coming along Galle Road have to take a U turn at the junction in front of Brandix to reach the park.. It is more like a park for cars traveling away from Colombo rather than coming in..

Devinda_Z · March 16, 2009

has anyone tried this yet??

Jayathu · March 17, 2009

Devinda_Z said:
has anyone tried this yet??

Don't think so.. Check this...

http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections...spx?ARTID=43535

PARK AND RIDE’ BEGINS WITH JUST TWO PASSENGERS

The ‘Park and Ride’ service began its operation yesterday with just two passengers taking the service that was operated from Katubedde to Fort.

However, the Manager of the Park and Ride complex, Mr. Sarath Gunawardene said it was too early to assess the service from the first day and he expected to have a better response after a month.

At present the service operates from 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. on weekdays. A minimum of 6 buses would operate, leaving at 30-minute intervals.

The service is an attempt to reduce the traffic congestion and number of vehicles in Colombo according to plans set out by the Mahinda Chinhanaya.

“This is an extremely convenient service and it will really pick up within a month as people will become more accustomed to the idea,” said Chairman of the National Transport Commission Prof. Amal Kumarage who was at the ‘Park and Ride’ complex last morning.

“This is a very convenient service to the people and we have made the buses extremely comfortable for them, since most persons using their own vehicles desire this comfort,” said the Manager of the complex Mr. Sarath Gunawardene. “This service also eliminates the hassle of having to drive in the congested streets all the way to Colombo and I am confident that many will utilise this service in the months to come,” he further added.

Although many are critical whether the person would actually trade in the convenience and comfort of their private vehicles, the National Transport Commission seems confident the scheme would succeed.

“Many people think that this is only for the talking and will not get off the ground. However, as soon as people come to know about it they will realise this is a reliable service.

Thus to build the confidence of the people we will operate with a few people for at least a month,” said Mr. Kumarage. “When this picks up we will have buses leaving every 10-minute for the added convenience of the people,” he further said.

Mr. Gunawardene elaborated on the other luxurious elements that will be incorporated into the service. “Right now we provide magazines and newspapers, but in future we hope to provide soft drinks and the like at a nominal fee,” he stated.

The luxury 20-seat coaches would travel from Katubedde to Kollupitiya Junction, Dharmapala Mawatha and then proceed to Piththala Junction. The buses would then cross Nawam Mawatha at Slave Island and go past Air Force HQ to York Street ending up near the Clock Tower in Pettah. Returning, the bus would take the Duplication Road route up to Bambalapitiya.

The service is aimed at mainly those who were using their own vehicles and the awareness among the general public was very low.

Persons standing at the bus halt right opposite the complex were absolutely oblivious to the service.

“I really don’t know what it is. I just saw the sign and it seems easier to use the bus than take that service,” said an elderly lady.

ECD Global (PVT) Ltd., the transport providers for Sri Lankan Airlines conducts the service under the direction of the National Transport Commission.

Declared open under the patronage of Minister of Transport Dallas Alahapperuma the service cost an initial sum of 10 million rupees.

The complex of one acre was paved and lit using sky lights with the facilities of toilets.

isam · March 17, 2009

I remember something from my old school books " Paya Barawayata Pitikara Beheth Bandima" (Applying medicine around the wound but not on it"

Parak · March 20, 2009

Le Sabre said:
I sure many of you must have read about the Park and Ride service to be started soon.
Do you thing that this plan will be good and will be succesful.

Also how are the parking facilities at the stops, are they secure and safe.

Not sure of the fares and how much it will cost.

Good chance for the Micro Luxary bus to get on the road too.

Also check out the info at the link below.

http://www.ntc.gov.lk/CityLiner%20Co...proposals1.pdf

Thanks for opening up this topic on the forum. This is a very important topic to discuss. I think establishment of toll collecting during the peak hour together with Park and Ride project could make a greater impact. As I know there could be lot of arguments arises as the poeple normally don't want to change their routines, comfort etc. Anyway If I was in SriLanka I would definetly try this.

Pericles · March 21, 2009

Parak said:
Anyway If I was in SriLanka I would definetly try this.

And IF my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

AMG · March 21, 2009

Pericles said:
And IF my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

:lol: :lol:

YALA · March 21, 2009

Parak said:
Anyway If I was in SriLanka I would definetly try this.

i know i wont...my brain is jus wired to use my own vehicle to go where i want, when i want, how i want and even if sl has a developed public transportation network i still wouldnt use it cos nothin beats

a. the convenience of having ur own vehicle and using it

b. im a petrol head and i cant help it...driving is a pleasure for me even in the streets of colombo..lanesplittin..avoiding busses, threewheelers and annoyin motorbikes cuttin in front of u when there is bumper to bumper traffic..downshifting when i realize i was coming to fast to the traffic lights....taking shortcuts when im late for work...nothin beats that feeling

Edited March 21, 2009 by YALA

JadeyBlitzen · March 21, 2009

why park and ride works say, in the uk is because of the following reasons.

1. parking in the city is very limited, the spaces available are very very expensive (£1 to £3 an hour). parking permits are impossible to obtain

2. there are congestion charges in some cities to consider (£8 a day)

3. traffic is not that much of an issue but buses coaches and taxis are allowed to use bus lanes so you can make better progress than in a private car.

4. buses are frequent and there's quite a lot of them in service and they operate throughout the day.

i'm sure there are more reasons. but those are the ones that i think are most important.

the thing is its the opposite in sl. well except for traffic of course. but it equally affects all modes of transport, except train (lets not even go there). so unless the government takes a big anti-car initiative and burdens the motorist with such atrocities we'd always be very happy trundle along in our personal cars.

xXx · May 19, 2009

Bad news i'm affraid

Park and ride project a flop

Quote
Park and ride project a flop
Only one bus in service carrying seven passengers

By Nadia Fazlulhaq, Pics. by Saman Kariyawasam

Two months after an ambitious project was launched to encourage motorists to park their vehicles and ride in a luxury bus to the City, the National Transport Commission (NTC) is struggling to continue the service in the face of the very limited success of the project so far.

The NTC commenced this service, with the main objective of reducing traffic on the roads by attracting private vehicle owners who motor to the City daily. It spent an initial sum of Rs. 10 million to start the service. Although it was planned for six buses presently only one 20-seater is operating carrying around seven passengers. The bus is scheduled to proceed from Moratuwa to Colombo Fort via Nawam Mawatha.

The luxury bus with the few passengers travelling in it.

The almost empty car park at Angulana

The complex is situated in a one acre paved land in Angulana, Moratuwa which can accommodate 150 vehicles but not more than five vehicles have been accommodated up to now.

Although the service was to operate every 30 minutes between 6.30 a.m and 8.30 a.m, now only one bus leaves at 7 a.m.

The City Liner coach is operated by E.C.D Global (Pvt) Ltd., which provides transport to many institutions including SriLankan Airlines, the Central Bank and the Foreign Ministry.

E.C.D Global (Pvt) Ltd., managing director Malcolm Jayasundara said that there was a poor response to the concept.

“There are around seven passengers and this is a big loss to the company. But as we promised to support the concept we are providing the service bearing a loss of Rs. 250,000 monthly,” he said.

He said that the concept did not catch on as the pre-launch advertising was poor and did not reach the public.

Mr. Jayasundara said that presently the response is being studied and by the end of July if the losses keep recurring a decision would be taken whether to proceed with the service.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, some of the passengers who used the service expressed their views.

Dulani* and Nirmal* used to travel by car but after their car met with an accident they had decided to use the bus service.

“The comforts are great but the service is only to the office. Any other travelling involves using a taxi or a three-wheeler,” she said.

Nirmal* said that his daily fuel cost was Rs. 650 but by using the bus service only Rs. 400 is spent by both.

Niluka* is a regular traveller in the City Liner bus for almost one and a half months. She gets into the bus at Ratmalana and travels to Colombo Fort.

“My husband had to take me in his vehicle or I had to take the train to office, but this is more comfortable and convenient for both of us,” she said.

She said that there was not enough promotion of the service, with some people believing that a person should come all the way to Angulana to board the bus.

Meanwhile, NTC chairman Prof. Amal S. Kumarage told The Sunday Times that at present the position is being reviewed and it is hoped to make some changes as some minus points in the system have been noticed.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090517/News/sund...mesnews_07.html

Edited May 19, 2009 by xXx

Devinda_Z · May 19, 2009

xXx said:
Bad news i'm affraid
Park and ride project a flop

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090517/News/sund...mesnews_07.html

shame really , given that it seemed to have 'potential'

i've seen the bus itself on the morning run & looks very nice n cozy

not enough promotion me thinks

& they haven't clarrified many detail - i too thought it was mandetory to go to Angulana to board the bus

lak50 · May 20, 2009

My son happens to be the first person who tried this new concept. He has paid Rs. 170 for one way on first week and due to lack of passengers they have reduced it to Rs. 100. There are only handful of people use this service and it seem to be heading for a total disaster. Lack of awareness and promotion plus attitude of our own people has contributed for the downfall of the service. This is a very good service and you can save about Rs. 300 plus hassle of driving in the traffic. At present only one bus is in service which leaves @ 7.00 am from Angulana and return from Pettah @ 5.30pm. The management is going to come up with new features to attract passengers for the service. You does not have to park your vehicle at the park and they charge only for the bus ride. Parking is free and is security is provided till the bus returns in the evening.