Private bus owners not to increase fares

Chaminda PERERA

Private bus owners yesterday agreed to refrain from increasing the bus fare by 3.87 percent in line with the bus fare revision policy of the Transport Ministry after taking the Security Forces' victory over terrorism into account.

The existing bus fare should have been increased by July 1 based on the bus fare revision policy of the Transport Ministry formulated in 2002 in consultation with private bus owners and other stakeholders.

The private bus owners arrived at this decision at a meeting with Transport Minister Dullas Allahapperuma.

They said their decision will set an example to the business community too.

The Minister in response to their decision said he would maintain constant dialogue with the private bus operators. He said he would personally get involved in revising the bus fare if necessary due to the increase in world oil prices or other reasons.

Private Bus Owners Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne, All Island Bus Operators Association President Stanley Fernando, Southern Province Private Bus Owners' Association Chairman Chandana Soysa, Transport Commission Chairman Prof Amal Kumarage and Ministry Secretary Thilak Collure were present.