Private bus fare to go up

By Kushali Atukorale
Another private bus fare hike looms large with the government’s decision to revise fuel prices from Sunday.

Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairman, Gemunu Wijerathne told The Bottom Line that with the latest fuel price hike, they are looking at increasing fares, starting from changing the Rs. 5 minimum charge to at least Rs. 6.

The Association has also called for the revision of bus fares at least once in every six months.

“We are not left with any other option but to seek a price increase following Sunday’s hefty fuel price increase,” he said.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation increased the price of a litre of petrol by Rs. 10 and diesel by Rs. 5 from January 13 midnight.

Wijerathne said that they were scheduled to hold discussions with the National Transport Authority in a bid to get approval for their price hike.

“We understand that this will further burden the people, but we have no other option,” he added.