The pilot project to issue prepaid cards for public transportation was inaugurated for bus passengers who use the Southern Expressway, yesterday.
According to the Daily News, prepaid cards for public transportation were issued to passengers at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre.
The prepaid card system was introduced by the National Transport Commission (NTC) together with the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).
Prepaid cards for buses are issued through the People’s Bank and the National Savings Bank.
Top-ups of these prepaid cards can be made through CDM machines of the respective banks instantly and conveniently.
The banks will also take steps to issue cards free under the first phase of the programme.
The project was launched after the Transport Ministry entered an agreement with related financial institutions, yesterday regarding the issue of pre-paid cards under the patronage of Ministry Secretary M.M.K.Mayadunne.
It has been revealed that this card system, which is first introduced for bus passengers, can be replaced for train passengers later.
The Transport Ministry together with the National Transport Commission and the Sri Lanka Transport Board also plan to expand this programme to the entire country. (NewsWire)
