Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake has announced that commuters will be able to pay bus fares using bank-issued credit and debit cards on buses equipped with ticket-issuing machines, effective 30 November 2025.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister Rathnayake noted that revenue losses from bus ticket sales have been a longstanding issue. “Bus owners have been unable to secure adequate profits due to income leakage from ticket sales. They had requested the implementation of a card-based payment system for passengers. From 30 November, passengers will be able to use bank cards on buses equipped with the system to pay for their tickets,” he said.