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| Tuesday, 28 September 2004 |
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Bus strike called off by Ranil Wijayapala and Rajmi Manatunga Agreement was reached between Transport Minister Felix Perera and private bus owners for a bus fare increase of six to seven per cent instead of the 15 per cent demanded by the latter to off set increased diesel prices. The fares will come into effect from October 1. The two main private bus owners associations, the Lanka Private Bus Operators Association and the All Ceylon Private Omnibus Owners Association Federation reversed their decision for a countrywide strike following the agreement with the Minister last evening. Addressing a press conference immediately following the joint meeting, the Minister said the decision came within his powers which he was obliged to take since he was not ready to inconvenience commuters even for a day. The Minister said private bus owners wanted a 15 per cent bus fare hike but they were able to reach consensus for only a six to seven per cent increase in the face of a 15 per cent rise in diesel prices. "We will be announcing the revised bus fares by Friday," the Minister said. Perera said the Government was able to make the latest fare revision where more than 40 per cent commuters would be untouched by the hike. He said earlier the Ministry decided to increase the minimum bus fare from Rs. 3 to Rs. 3.50 while allowing private bus operators to increase the minimum fare to Rs. 4 soon following the increase of diesel prices. "Therefore the minimum bus fare will remain at Rs. 4 while Rs. 5 fare will also remain unchanged," the Minister added. There will be a one rupee increase in bus fares from the Rs. 6 to Rs. 27.50 segments. A five to six per cent hike will come into effect for bus fares more than Rs. 27.50. The maximum bus fare will be changed from Rs. 247 to Rs. 260, the Minister added. Perera said CTB bus fares will also be increased parallel to the bus fare revision. The Minister said the Government will have to revise train fares parallel to the diesel fare increase and a new Cabinet paper will be submitted to revise train fares soon. The Minister said the Government is determined to strengthen the public sector transport services to meet challenge of private bus operators. National Transport Commission Chairman Prof. Amal Kumarage said the bus fare revision was in accordance with the formula included in the National Bus Transport Policy. Meanwhile, earlier acting Presidential Secretary D. Wijesinghe addressing a letter to the Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association requested to suspend the bus strike until a reasonable solution is brought forward after the President returns to the island. According to a media release by the President's Office, the Association's President in reply has informed the Presidential Secretary that the decision to strike from September 28 was taken because the bus owners could not afford to maintain the services in the face of the increased rates of fuel and that their Association is prepared to discuss the issue with a nominee of the President though she is away from the island. The Bus Owners' Association has been once again requested to postpone the intended strike at least for another 48 hours because their representations are expected to be discussed with the President on Wednesday, stated the release. |
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