Bus fares to go up in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama says that the minimum bus fare will be increased by Rs. 03 with effect from Jan. 5.

Accordingly, the minimum fare for travel in Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private passenger buses will be increased from Rs. 14 to Rs. 17 from next Wednesday (05).

He stated that the other categories of bus fares, excluding minimum fare category, for SLTB and private passenger transport buses will be increased by 17% with effect from the date.

Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, he said that the National Transport Commission (NTC) has received the revised bus fares for each section and category formulated based on the pricing formula.

Amunugama said that several factors including the prices of fuel, hiring costs and spare part prices were taken into consideration when preparing the pricing formula.

Accordingly, the minimum fare which was Rs. 14 will have to be increased to Rs. 17 from the morning of January 05, he said, adding that the other fares would likely increase by around 16.5%-17%