The Ministry of Transport has decided to revise bus fares based on changes made in transport regulations due in line with the current health and safety needs of the COVID-19 situation.

Thereby, bus fares will be increased by a 1.2 ratio and the minimum bus fare will hike from Rs 12.00 to Rs 14.00.

The price hike, which is set to come to effect from midnight today (10), is expected to cover three safety options for public transport.

Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge said private bus owners are facing severe financial difficulties when transporting passengers in compliance with the new regulations. He added that the government is taking measures to halt all leasing instalments from being charged for a 6-month period.”

In addition, the government is planning to provide private bus operators with a loan of Rs 300,000 at a concessionary interest rate.

Meanwhile, State Minister of Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments, Dilum Amunugama said the government has proposed three methods of transport to the health authorities.

Under these methods, there will be no revision of fares if people are allowed to travel by bus, both seated and standing and wearing face masks.

If people are only allowed to travel in accordance with the seating numbers, the minimum bus fare of Rs 12.00 will be revised to Rs 14.00, he added.

“The health authorities have instructed us to implement the second method.”

“The third method is to allow persons to sit one seat apart. If the health authorities tell us that there is a high risk at the moment, we will implement this,” he said further.

The bus fare for normal buses will then be increased by 1.5 ratio and semi-luxury and luxury buses the fare will be increased by 1.2 ratio.

For super luxury buses, the fare will rise by 1.1 ratio under the third method.