Bus owners seek another fare hike

21 Apr 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Private bus owners yesterday said they might request for an increase in bus fares later this year as the cost of repairs had doubled due to the escalating prices of items.

During the last bus fare increase in February this year bus owners’ unions had agreed with the transport authorities to revise fares on February 14 next year.

Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne however said a bus fare increase would be needed sooner than that.

He said buses were usually serviced every 5000 km at a cost of Rs. 6000 but it had now nearly doubled at Rs.11,000. He said despite a 20% bus fare hike in February this year bus owners could not cope with this additional burden.

He said due to the high cost of living bus drivers and conductors on average pilfered about 30% of the daily income which further reduced profits of the bus owner.

“The private bus service in the country accounts for 70% of public transport services in the country unlike the residual which accounts for about 20%.
However the government pumps about a total of Rs.8 billion to the SLTB and railway services but we do not receive adequate financial support or subsidies,” he said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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Bus owners seek another fare hike

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