June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) says the annual revision of private bus fares is due to take effect from 1 July, urging the authorities to implement the adjustment without further delay.
LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said the association has already notified the National Transport Commission (NTC) of the fare revision it believes should be introduced in line with the country’s annual pricing formula. However, he claimed that no formal discussions have been held between the Commission and private bus operators ahead of the scheduled revision.
Expressing concern over the delay, Wijeratne warned that the association is prepared to pursue legal action if the fare adjustment is not implemented as expected. He argued that adherence to the established annual revision mechanism is essential to ensure transparency and provide certainty for both operators and passengers.
Responding to queries on the matter, an NTC spokesperson confirmed that the proposed fare revision has been forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration.
According to the Commission, the revised fare structure will come into force only after receiving Cabinet approval. Until then, existing bus fares will remain unchanged, pending the government’s final decision on the proposal.