Bus operators want minimum fare increased to Rs.20

The Lanka Private Bus Operators' Association (LPBOA) has requested permission to increase the minimum bus fare from current Rs. 12 to Rs.20 in order to bolster the Private bus industry which the Association claims to be struggling to survive.

The LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said that the number of private buses in operation has drastically dropped from around 20,000 to a mere 5,000 due to the current situation after the COVID-19 hit the country.

Wijeratne expressed fear that the situation would worsen after the GCE (AL) examination is over, as many bus owners have been conducting the service just to help the students who sit for the examination.

He stated that his organisation has submitted a list of proposals to the authorities to be implemented with a view to continue the bus service adhering to the health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry in the face of the spread of COVID-19 in the country as a second wave.

Taking passenger to the buses to their seating capacity, refraining from taking passengers to long-distance buses at midway bus halts and increasing the bus fare are some of the proposals the LPBOA has submitted to the government, according to Wijeratne.(Dayaseeli Liyanage)