COLOMBO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is in talks with China to import hybrid buses to upgrade the island's public transport sector, local media reported Tuesday.
State Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Ashoka Abeysinghe told a media briefing that he was in discussions with Chinese companies, which manufacture hydrogen powered buses and hybrid buses, and the procurement plan to purchase the buses had been finalized.
The minister said they hope to expedite the process and open the tenders in the coming 28 weeks.
"I went to China a couple of months ago and visited the Chinese companies," the state minister said.
"We are looking at hybrid buses as we do not have enough charging stations for electric buses," he added.
Sri Lanka is looking to boost its public transport infrastructure, particularly in Colombo, amid rising tourist numbers and increased road congestion.
In a recent government survey, it is estimated that by 2030, more than 60 percent of the island's population will depend on public transport to travel to capital Colombo.
