21 October 2014 10:13 am
The Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said that it would have to go for a bus fare hike in November if the private bus industry did not receive relief from the 2015 budget.
The LPBOA had submitted six proposals including tax relief to the pre paid card scheme and when purchasing bus tires annually, to the Finance and Planning Ministry on August 21.
“We request the Ministry to include these proposals in the 2015 budget for the welfare of the private bus industry,” LPBOA Chairman, Gemunu Wijeratne told a news conference.
Wijeratne said the private bus industry should also be given compensation like the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus industry. “Rs 3.8 million had been allocated to the SLTB by the government in 2013. We should also be given some relief,” he said.
He also showed displeasure over the decision taken to take bus owners and drivers to court even for minor incidents without issuing spot fines.
“This is unfair. We will have to go to courts for the faults committed by commuters by this move. We will decide to carry out one day strike during next week,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla and Sanath Desmond)