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Bus fares to rise again

14 Nov 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Private Transport Ministry said today that it was seeking Cabinet approval to increase bus fares for a second time this year following a Rs.8 increase in the price of a litre of diesel.

According to the national transport policy bus fares can only be increased in such a situation only if the prices of a litre of diesel rises by 4%. The percentage increment however has been 3.5%. Ministry Secretary Victor Samaraweera said that the ministry is seeking to reduce this percentage by 2% and will put it forward to the Cabinet for approval after which amendments may be made to the bus fares.

Bus owners were prepared to go on an islandwide strike today (November 15) if the transport authorities did not increase bus fares and provide diesel subsidies following the recent diesel price hike. However after negotiations with the Private Transport Services Ministry and the National Transport Commission a decision was taken to revise bus fares, the Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) said.

“We were informed that they could not give us fuel subsidies and therefore instead gave us written assurance that bus fares will be increased in a months time,” PBOA President Gemunu Wijeyratne said.

The last bus fare increment was on July 1 this year when the minimum fare was raised from Rs.6 to 7. If increased again at the end of the month, the minimum fare will rise to Rs.8.

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Bus fares to rise again

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