Sri Lanka Introduces Female Bus Conductors on Expressway Services

In a landmark move towards gender inclusivity in public transport, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has deployed female bus conductors on expressway services for the first time in the country’s history.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board has officially launched the deployment of female bus conductors across its bus fleet, marking a historic step in promoting women’s participation in the public transport sector. The initiative began today (6) with the appointment of 20 newly recruited female conductors.

The appointment letters were handed over during a ceremony held at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, with the participation of Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne. An official uniform was also introduced for the newly appointed conductors, symbolising their formal entry into the profession.

Initially, the female conductors will serve on SLTB buses operating along the Makumbura–Kadawatha expressway route. According to officials, the programme is expected to expand in the future, with female conductors also being assigned to buses used for transporting schoolchildren, depending on operational requirements.

This initiative reflects Sri Lanka’s efforts to enhance gender equality and create new employment opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.