LNP – Bus fare revision announced, Minimum bus fare is Rs.20: Minister

Cabinet approval was granted for the fare increase by 15 per cent with effect from yesterday, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

He said the minimum fare, which was at Rs. 17 for the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses, will be increased by Rs. 3 and the new fare will be Rs.20.

The National Transport Commission (NTC) yesterday issued the revised bus fare list with 350 cases last afternoon (14).

According to the list, the maximum bus fare has been increased from Rs. 1303 to Rs. 1498, the Minister said.

He said that the bus fare revision was made solely to account for the increase in diesel prices.

While holding a media briefing yesterday, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne accepted the 15 per cent bus fare revision. He stated that while requesting a large percentage increase in bus fares, the people should not be burdened any further.

Meanwhile, Inter-Provincial Private Bus Owners’ Association (IPPBOA) President Sarath Vijitha Kumara yesterday said that they have decided to hold operating bus service if the bus fare revision is made, focusing only on considering the diesel price hike.

He said the 15 per cent bus fare revision is not sufficient for long-distance passenger transport services because the prices of tyres and tubes, as well as lubricants and services, rose by 35%.