Dullas steps in to reduce bus fares

COLOMBO: Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has directed that the SLCTB implement the fare reduction that was included in a formula drawn up under the scheme to eliminate bus fare anomalies.

Following this decision bus fares on a number of routes have been reduced from yesterday.

The Minister noted that under a formula drawn up by the National Transport Commission in rectifying fare anomalies applying to certain route ‘sections’, while bus fares on several routes were increased there was an automatic reduction in the fares, in a majority of routes.

However both the private operators as well as the SLCTB chose to charge only increased fare while ignoring the reduced rates.

Giving ear to the numerous complaints in this regard made both to the Commission as well as the Transport Ministry, Minister Alahapperuma decided to order the SLCTB to take the lead in giving effect to the reduced fare.

The Minister noted that profit was not the sole motive of the SLCTB and as such the public was entitled to an efficient as well as courteous service. What is significant is the new revision will chiefly benefit low income groups in the villages.

Revised bus fare rates