New bus fares from January 6

Irangika RANGE

The new bus fare after the recent reduction in fuel prices will be effective January 6 by both Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses in the Western Province. The new fares will cover 780 bus routes.

According to sources at the National Transport Commission (NTC), bus fares for 312 routes will not be revised while fares ranging from Rs. 1 to Rs. 22 will be reduced in 231 routes. Meanwhile, bus fare between Rs. 1 to Rs. 12 on 237 routes are expected to be increased, according to the new adjustment of fares.

A spokesman for the NTC told the Daily News that commuters, bus operators and administrative authorities would vastly benefit with the removal of disparities in bus fares on 780 routes in the Western Province.

Accordingly, commuters will only have to pay the fixed bus fare for both SLTB and private buses operated at the inter-provincial and provincial levels.

The NTC has advised each bus operator to display, new bus fares in buses to educate commuters on the new fare revision.

"Disparities in the routes of the Western Province have been removed based on the National Bus Fare Policy approved by the Government and recommended by the NTC," he added.

The public transport system in the country has functioned over half a century with many disparities as a proper mechanism on a bus fare evaluation was not formulated. Therefore, commuters were compelled to pay different bus fares to both SLTB and private buses operated on the same routes which was described as being unfair. "This has resulted in commuters facing severe hardships as conductors levied fares at their wish," he added.

In addition, revised bus fares would be displayed in the inter-provincial normal bus services and semi luxury bus services.

Meanwhile, the NTC is planning to remove disparities in the bus fares at provincial level too.