Pettah bus stand scams and Colombo transit safety

Asked about 9 hours agoViewed 1700 times
M
Mia S.465 rep2
asked about 9 hours ago

We just arrived in Colombo and the guys outside the Pettah bus terminal are saying the buses are broken Is this a known scam

3
asked about 9 hours ago
M
Mia S.465 rep2

7 Answers

Accepted Answer

100% a classic Colombo scam. The public CTB buses are almost never completely broken down. The street touts stand at the entrances and lie to tourists to herd them into overpriced private minivans. Ignore them completely, walk right past them into the terminal, and ask a bus conductor in uniform.

12
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answered about 9 hours ago
K
Kamal P.1610 rep2

They actually grabbed my backpack to force me to walk with them. Keep your bags tight!

49
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answered about 9 hours ago
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Ethan J.1240 rep2

Do not engage in conversation with them at all. Just shake your head and walk.

37
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answered about 9 hours ago
K
Kamal P.1610 rep2

For anyone reading this, take an Uber to Makumbura Multimodal Center instead. Zero scammers there.

24
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answered about 9 hours ago
E
Ethan J.1240 rep2

If they physically block you, shout Police loudly. The tourist police post is right next door.

11
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answered about 9 hours ago
A
Amali D.1210 rep2

Also watch your pockets in that crowd, pickpockets work with the touts.

6
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answered about 8 hours ago
A
Amali D.1210 rep2

We walked inside and the bus was literally waiting there running. Unbelievable.

4
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answered about 9 hours ago
M
Mia S.465 rep2

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