Lanka Private Bus Owners Association chairman Gemunu Wijeratna said
there would be an increase of 6% -8% in bus fares in February.
Mr. Wijeratne said bus fares were revised annually.
The latest revision was effected in February last year by 20% due to the
increase in the diesel price, so the next revision had to be made this
February. However, if paying a diesel concession was considered by the
government the need for the fare increase would not have arisen, Mr.
Wijeratna said.
“Concessions of this nature are offered in many
countries. But the government has no methodology to analyse and quantify
the concession needed. Today the private bus service has almost
collapsed. There is a possibility of private bus owners going towards
strike action.”
Although the treasury gave Rs 2,800 million for
the fleet of 4000 buses of the SLTB no such concession was given to the
fleet of the 20,000 bus strength of the private service he charged.
The
proposed increase of bus fare was based on 12 factors including the
increase of the USD, the high price of spare parts and the higher
interest rate of leasing, he said.
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