Apart from security concerns the main problem facing the Bay is the distance from the only International Airport, Colombo. And the high cost of getting across the island.
To hire a taxi, van or minibus to take you over 320km of bumpy roads today cost you even more than a flight ticket to Bangkok ($110).
So far, there is no comfortable, reliable bus service connecting the Bay.
Arugam.info thinks that a good, say 60 seater air conditioned, second hand Tourist Bus could be purchased for about the same price as one of the houses (nobody really wants anymore) is being put up in the back woods of the Bay, i.e. 1.4Mill. rupees (14,000$).
By removing half the seats, fitting the bus out well, including a good sound and vision system and with a team of 4 drivers on rotation shifts this service could travel EVERY day:
06:00 Airport- 08:00 Colombo/Galle Face- 18:00 Arugam Bay
20:00 Arugam Bay- 06:00 Airport- 08:00 Colombo/Galle Face
With the new motorway a stop at Hikkaduwa is also possible, making this a very interesting and highly lucrative bus route, even locals would love to use.
Furthermore, Arugam.info would totally paint the Tourist bus all round with nature motives of the Bay and Yala East for three reasons:
1.) To promote Arugam Bay and make the resort known in the capital
2.) To demonstrate that regular, daily travel presents no problem
3.) To show checkpoints that this is a TOURIST Bus by such it will make control easier
Indeed, the operator and conductor would be security trained personel who would carry out vigilant pre-checks throughout and not allow any suspicious passenger on board.
After a few runs, experience has shown that an almost free passage will follow through all the check points.
The proposed fare should be around 10$/trip incl. refreshments making this a highly profitable mini business.
This service would be a benefit to the entire community and promote tourism.
The government route permits are no problem, as no such service exists so far.
A superb idea! So many tourists come to Sri Lanka but never make it over to the east because of the lack of affordable transport. I hope this idea becomes reality one day.
Keep up the good work!
Love,
Ms Fiasco
That is what AbaY needs!
Good cheap transport, regular service.