Bus fares and school van transport charges will remain unchanged despite the latest fuel price increase, while three-wheeler operators have expressed differing views on a possible fare revision, it was reported.
According to reports, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne said bus fares cannot be increased as the rise in fuel prices has not reached the 4% threshold required under the bus fare revision formula.
He pointed out that although diesel prices have increased by Rs. 15 per litre over recent revisions, the increase remains insufficient to justify a bus fare hike under the existing formula.
However, Wijeratne said the bus industry continues to operate at a loss, with short-distance services incurring daily losses of approximately Rs. 1,000 and long-distance services suffering losses of around Rs. 2,000.
Meanwhile, school van transport associations have also indicated that school transport charges will remain unchanged despite the increase in fuel prices.
However, three-wheeler associations remain divided over whether fares should be increased.
National United Three-Wheeler Drivers’ and Industrialists’ Association General Secretary L. Rohana Perera said three-wheeler fares should be revised to reflect the rising cost of fuel.
He proposed increasing the fare for the first kilometre from Rs. 110 to Rs. 120 and the charge for each subsequent kilometre from Rs. 90 to Rs. 100.
Perera said the association intends to submit its proposal to the National Transport Commission and await a response over the coming days.
He warned that if no action is taken, the association may have to consult fare meter adjustment service providers regarding a possible revision.
However, other three-wheeler associations have opposed an immediate fare increase, maintaining that there is no need to revise charges at present. (Newswire)
