Jan 25, 2008 (LBO) – The national transportation commission of Sri Lanka has authorised a hike in bus fares due to recent fuel price increase, but private bus owners say it is insufficient. The fare increases approved by the commission will be effective from February 1 and are meant to minimise the effects of recent fuel price hikes on private bus owners, government officials said.
Bus fares will be increased by four percent overall, effectively increasing the minimum charge of five rupees to six, the commission said.
But Gemunu Wijeratne, president of the private bus operators association, says the hike is not enough and the organisation plans to take up the issue with the minister of transport during the last week of January. .
