Will forego fare if fuel subsidy is provided: Wijeratne

15 February 2012 08:47 am

Private bus operators said today that they would forego the recent 20 per cent bus fare increase if the authorities provided a fuel subsidy at Rs.76.

Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne said that they recognised the difficulties faced by the people and would make a formal request from the National Transport Commission (NTC) today to provide the subsidy.

“We are prepared at any time to reduce the bus fares to the original rates if the government gives us a reasonable diesel subsidy,” Wijeyratne said.

Bus fares were increased to 20 per cent with the minimum fare being raised to Rs.9 on Tuesday after a unanimous decision by the Finance Ministry, NTC, Private transport Services Ministry, LPBOA and other unions. (Olindhi Jayasundere and Tharushan Fernando)