By The Government’s Relaxation of the Car Import Ban: Will More Cars Mean Better Transport?
In a move that has stirred considerable debate, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to relax the ban on car imports, which was initially imposed to address the country’s foreign exchange crisis. The decision, while offering relief to prospective car buyers and the automotive industry, raises an important question: will more cars on the road lead to better transportation or exacerbate the existing traffic woes in Colombo and beyond?
The Illusion of Progress: More Cars, More Problems
On the surface, relaxing the car import ban may seem like a solution to the city’s growing transportation demands. However, simply adding more cars to the already congested roads may not be the key to improving the transport system. In fact, it could make matters worse.
Sri Lanka’s roads are already overwhelmed by an increasing number of vehicles, and more cars would only add to the traffic gridlock. Despite the popularity of private car ownership, the country’s infrastructure remains woefully inadequate for such a high number of vehicles. Colombo, in particular, faces severe congestion, especially during peak hours. Adding more private cars would only worsen the issue, increasing travel times, air pollution, and road accidents.
Additionally, the surge in car ownership would place an even greater strain on the country’s already overstretched road network. More vehicles mean more maintenance costs for infrastructure, including the need for more parking spaces, road repairs, and expanded highways. More cars also come with higher fuel consumption, leading to increased national expenditure on fuel imports, which Sri Lanka, as a non-oil producing country, cannot afford in the long term.
The Real Solution: Alternatives to Car-Centric Transport
Prof. Amal Kumarage, a leading transport expert, offers valuable insights into what Sri Lanka’s transportation system truly needs. Rather than focusing on expanding private car ownership, he advocates for solutions that prioritize public transport, traffic demand management, and sustainable urban planning.
1. Public Transport Over Private Cars
The most effective solution to Colombo’s traffic problem lies in enhancing public transport. Rather than allowing more cars to flood the roads, the government should invest in developing a comprehensive and reliable public transport system that offers viable alternatives to private vehicles. This includes upgrading the bus and train systems, improving scheduling, and expanding service coverage to underserved areas.
Prof. Kumarage emphasizes the need to focus on multimodal integration, where different modes of public transport—buses, trains, and potentially even water-based transport—are seamlessly connected. By doing so, commuters would have more reliable and efficient options for moving across the city, reducing their reliance on personal vehicles.
2. Park-and-Ride Solutions
One promising solution to the growing car ownership problem is park-and-ride (PnR) systems. These facilities allow commuters to park their cars at designated locations on the outskirts of the city and continue their journey by public transport. This would help reduce congestion in the city center while still accommodating car owners.
Park-and-ride systems are common in cities like Singapore and London, where they have been proven to work effectively in reducing traffic volumes and promoting the use of public transport. In Colombo, implementing PnR could be a game-changer, as it would allow those who need to drive to the city to park in secure locations before switching to buses or trains for the remainder of their journey.
Establishing well-integrated PnR stations at key points along Colombo’s transport corridors could make commuting more efficient while reducing the number of cars on the road. For example, setting up PnR facilities at major bus terminals or train stations could encourage commuters to leave their vehicles at these spots and use public transport to get to their final destinations.
3. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Prof. Kumarage also advocates for transit-oriented development (TOD), which focuses on building urban spaces around public transport hubs to reduce the need for long commutes and car usage. In TOD zones, residential, commercial, and recreational areas are located close to transit facilities, making it easier for people to access public transport and reducing their dependence on private vehicles.
Integrating TOD with Colombo’s existing and planned transport infrastructure could help create a more compact, walkable city, where the need for cars is minimized. By providing people with alternatives such as efficient buses and trains, along with easy access to essential services, TOD could play a key role in reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable urban growth.
4. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Alternatives
Another critical aspect that Prof. Kumarage highlights is the need to shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly transport solutions. As the world moves towards reducing carbon emissions, Sri Lanka must take steps to ensure that its transport system doesn’t contribute to worsening environmental conditions. This includes promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs), improving cycling infrastructure, and investing in green spaces that encourage walking and biking.
Investing in electric buses or EV charging infrastructure would help reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, lowering emissions and contributing to cleaner air in Colombo. Similarly, expanding the city’s cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways could offer people healthier, more sustainable options for commuting.
The Need for a Comprehensive Transport Strategy
Ultimately, the government’s decision to relax the car import ban must be viewed in the context of a broader, more sustainable transport strategy. While it may seem like a short-term solution for addressing increasing demand, it is unlikely to solve Colombo’s long-term traffic problems. Instead, as Prof. Kumarage suggests, the focus should be on improving public transport, introducing park-and-ride solutions, promoting transit-oriented development, and encouraging environmentally friendly alternatives.
The challenge is not simply about the number of cars on the road, but about creating a holistic, integrated transport system that offers people convenient, reliable, and sustainable options for getting around. Only then can we expect to see real progress in alleviating congestion and improving the quality of life for Colombo’s residents
