Bus fare revision under scrutiny

Irangika Range

The National Transport Commission (NTC) is currently analyzing statistics and other issues pertaining to the proposed bus fare revision with effect from July 1, Private Transport Services Ministry Secretary Victor Samaraweera told the Daily News.

According to the national policy on bus fares, the fares should be revised by July 1, each year, the Secretary said.

”The NTC has already commenced discussions with the private bus owners’ associations about the issue of increasing fares but we have not yet come to a decision,” he said.

In keeping with the provisions of the agreement for annual revisions agreed to by both NTC and private bus owners, bus fares could be raised after analyzing 12 main features of the policy, including revenue and expenditure of bus operators.

“We are adhering to the provisions of the agreement and considering practical issues faced by bus operators, he said.

He said private bus owners cannot increase bus fares independently without the authorization of the NTC.

He further said that NTC will make an official statement on bus fare hikes before July 1.

Meanwhile, the private bus owners have already demanded a 15% bus fare hike and the minimum bus fare is to be increased to Rs.8.

The Sri Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association chairman Gemunu Wijeratna said it is essential to increase bus fares owing to the hike in the price of diesel and the sharp increase in prices of tyres and other spare parts.