Minister of Transport Nimal Siripala de Silva says that bus fares will be increased by 4% with effect from midnight tomorrow (20).

However, the minimum fare will not be changed and will remain as Rs 12, he said.

The minister announced this decision following a discussion held with representatives of private bus trade unions at the Ministry of Transport today (19).

Private bus operators’ associations had called for an increase in bus fares in line with the recent fuel price hike.

The All Island Private Bus Operators’ Association had said it would give the government a three-day time period to provide a solution to the issue, before they resort to trade union action.

Accordingly a discussion was held today with the participation of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Secretary to the Transport Ministry G.S. Vithanage, NTC Chairman M.A.P. Hemachandra and representatives of the private bus owners’ unions federation to reach an agreement on the issue.

During the meeting, the minister had stated that the 10% bus fare hike requested by the trade unions cannot be approved and that based on the instruction of the experts’ committee appointed on this, permission can be granted for a 4% increase in fares from midnight tomorrow (20).

However, he had emphasized that no changes will be made to the minimum fare of Rs 12.

The minister also said that he would obtain the necessary Cabinet approval to increase the bus fares by 4 per cent.

 Nimal Siripala de Silva also instructed the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Secretary to the Transport Ministry to formulate a system to revise bus fares considering the changes in fuel prices according to the fuel pricing formula.