National Transport Commission (NTC) Director General Nilan Miranda on Friday said that a certain private bus association which earlier stated that bus fares must be increased before June 28 in line with the fuel price hike is now saying that the bus fare hike should have been postponed.
“This bus association earlier warned that bus operations would come to a halt, if the bus fare increase did not come into effect before June 28.
However, we did not agree with their proposal and the bus fare revision was implemented on July 1 according to the annual interim bus fare policy,” he said.
This bus association demanded a 20 percent bus fare hike during the previous round of discussions. Several other bus associations demanded a 30 percent hike. But all these private bus associations agreed to a 22 percent increase approved by the NTC.
He said the NTC summoned all private bus associations before calculating this year’s annual bus fare revision. According to the calculation, the bus fare has been increased by 22 percent considering 12 factors.
“When the fuel price increased previously, in April, we increased the bus fare by 35 percent though the calculation was 24 percent, due to the request by the bus associations. They agreed to reduce the increased 10 percent in the next bus fare revision. Though the calculations of the annual bus fare revision amounted to a 32.9 percent bus fare increase, we reduced the 10 percent that was already increased with the agreement of all the bus associations,” he said.
He called upon commuters to call the 1955 toll-free hotline regarding buses charging above the fares stipulated by the Government. He said that all measures have been taken to safeguard commuters from errant bus crews and that a team of flying squad inspectors will be deployed to carry out routine inspections in buses.
“Although the revised bus fares were published in newspapers, some private bus conductors are reported to be charging higher ticket prices from passengers,” he said. Private buses have been advised to display the new bus fares where passengers can see them properly.