Private bus owners warn of another fare hike

Private bus owners have warned of another increase in bus fares according to the bus fare formula agreed by the Government and the private bus operators. Private bus operators last week increased fares by 20% following the fuel price hike.

However, the private bus operators have now said fares would have to be increased by another 2% according to the bus fare formula. Head of the Private Bud Operators’ Association (PBOA), Gemunu Wijerathna says the Association has already written to the transport authorities requesting for a further 2% fare hike.

He has explained that the 20% fare hike last week was due to the fuel price increase and had not been calculated according to the 12 areas considered when increasing bus fares according to the bus fare formula.

According to Wijerathna, a further bus fare hike is required due to the failure of the authorities to properly calculate the fare hike last week. Head of the All Ceylon Bus Operators’ Federation, A. Ruban Silva has also said that bus fares would have to be increased by June according to the bus fare formula.