Discussion on bus fare revision today

A discussion will be held this morning at the Transport Ministry about increasing bus fare following the recent fuel price hike.

Accordingly, the discussion will be held between Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, the National Transport Commission (NTC), Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private bus owners.

The Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) recently said that they will stop operating buses if the government does not agree for an acceptable fare hike in keeping with the recent fuel price hike.

But the NTC claimed that the annual bus fare revision would come into effect on July 1.

Several media reports, however, claimed that the bus fare would be raised by 35%, with a minimum fare of Rs.40.

After today's discussion, the new fares will be announced. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)