Signs of increase in school transport fees due to fuel price hike

Colombo, May 3 (Daily Mirror) - School transport fees are likely to increase in the near future following the latest revision in fuel prices, the All Island School Transport Professionals Association said.

The Association’s Secretary, Malsree De Silva, said that the recent rise in diesel prices has made it necessary to revise transport charges, although efforts will be made to keep the increase reasonable.

He said that discussions will be held with parents before implementing any changes, adding that the revision is expected to be a fixed amount rather than a percentage-based increase.

De Silva further pointed out that despite multiple diesel price hikes in the past, transport providers had refrained from increasing fees out of consideration for parents. However, under the current circumstances, maintaining existing rates has become increasingly difficult.
“Diesel prices went up by Rs. 10 at midnight yesterday. I have continued this service without burdening parents for a long time, but now I am compelled to increase the fees,” he said.
He emphasized that the intention is not to impose a heavy burden on parents, but rather to adjust charges in line with the fuel cost increase.
“I request that the increase not be calculated as a percentage, but adjusted by a reasonable amount reflecting the diesel price hike. Due to repeated increases in fuel costs, we are now in a position where a revision is unavoidable,” he added.