No bus fare revision tomorrow: NTC Chairman

The annual bus fare revision which is scheduled to be made tomorrow (01 July) will not be implemented, National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman Shashi Welgama said.

The calculation for the annual bus fare vision is done according to the special formula, taking into account twelve factors, including the rate of inflation, the price of a litre of diesel, maintenance costs and the prices of tyres and other spare parts.

The annual bus fare revision is carried out on July 01 every year.

"The calculations done according to the special formula revealed a 6.45 percent bus fare revision, which is possible to be imposed tomorrow. Several bus owners too have requested for a bus fare hike," he said.

However, there was a 20 percent bus fare increase during the COVID-19 period. Later, the bus fares were reduced by 10 percent, the chairman added.

Therefore, the NTC has decided not to impose a bus fare revision at this time.

The minimum bus fare of Rs. 30 will remain, and the remaining 350 bus fare slabs will also remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, NTC Director General Commander (Rtd) Nilan Miranda told the media that the Commission has received several complaints regarding the balance amount being not paid to the commuters and charging of higher amounts than the stipulated bus fare.

He requested passengers lodge direct complaints to the NYTC through the 24-hour emergency line (1955) in this regard.

Investigations into the complaints will be held immediately, he assured.