The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association says the annual bus fare revision should take effect tomorrow (01) under established policy.

Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne stated that the National Transport Commission has already been informed of the required adjustments, but accused authorities of failing to hold discussions with bus associations. 

He warned that if the expected fare hike is not implemented, the association will resort to legal action.

Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson for the National Transport Commission confirmed that the proposal for the annual fare revision has been submitted to the Cabinet. 

The Commission said the revision will be implemented once Cabinet approval is granted. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have announced that legal action will be taken against bus operators who charge passengers more than the stipulated fares. 

The warning follows public complaints that both the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses engaged in public transport have been demanding higher fares.

According to the Police, inspections carried out jointly with officials of the National Transport Commission revealed instances where passengers were overcharged. 

The Police state that under Section 173 of the Motor Traffic Act, bus owners, drivers, or conductors are prohibited from demanding or accepting fares exceeding those authorized by route permits. 

Offenders may also face charges under the Penal Code, including extortion, cheating, and dishonest misappropriation, they warned.

The Police further urged passengers not to pay fares above the stipulated rates and to lodge complaints if such incidents occur. 

They added that the public can file complaints immediately via telephone numbers 118 or 119, or submit in writing or verbally to the nearest Police station. (Newswire)

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The National Transport Commission (NTC) states that although diesel prices have increased, there will be no revision of bus fares.

Director General of the Commission, Nilan Miranda, said that although diesel prices were increased from midnight yesterday (09), it will not have any impact on bus fare revisions.

Therefore, the existing fares will continue as they are, he further noted.

With effect from midnight yesterday, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increased the price of auto diesel by Rs. 22 per litre and Lanka super diesel by Rs. 24 per litre.

Sinopec and the Indian Oil Company (IOC) have also decided to increase fuel prices in line with the increase in fuel prices by the CPC. (Newswire)

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Two three-wheeler drivers have been arrested for defrauding two foreign tourists by charging excessive amounts for their travel during their holiday in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Police, two complaints have been filed with the Tourism Police, after which investigations were launched. 

The Police said a Brazilian tourist and a Belgian tourist had been charged Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 30,000 during their travels on 02nd and 05th October. 

The arrested three-wheeler drivers are aged 40 and 48 years, and are residents of Imbulgoda and Wellampitiya. 

The three-wheeler drivers have been handed over to the Cinnamon Gardens and Colpetty Police Stations for further investigations. (Newswire/ Image- file pic)

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Bus and three-wheeler associations have announced that fares will not be reduced due to the recent fuel price revisions.

Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, said the reduction of Rs. 12 for a litre of diesel was insufficient to reduce bus fares.

Gemunu Wijeratne further said the annual bus fare revision is scheduled for July this year. 

Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Three-Wheeler Owners and Drivers Association has also announced that three-wheeler fares cannot be reduced due to the recent fuel price revisions. 

Chairman of the Association Sudil Jayaruk said the reduction in petrol price was insufficient to reduce three-wheeler fares. 

The announcements come after the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) reduced fuel prices effective from midnight yesterday (30 Apr).

Soon after, the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) and the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) announced they would match their fuel prices to that of the CPC. (Newswire)

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The Western Province Threewheel Drivers & Owners Co-Operative Society Colombo says it will not reduce fares, despite the recent revision in fuel prices. 

A representative of the Association told the media that it was not practical to reduce three-wheeler charges by 50 cents or Rs. 1, due to a Rs. 10 reduction in petrol price. 

He further urged the government to regulate the three-wheeler taxi system to provide a more efficient service to the public. 

“A litre of petrol has been reduced by Rs. 10. A three-wheeler can travel for 20 kilometres using a litre of petrol. Even if we reduce fares by Rs. 10, a kilometre charge is Rs. 50. Can we reduce this by 50 cents? This is not practical,” he added. 

The decision comes as the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced a reduction in fuel prices effective from midnight yesterday, with the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) also matching their prices to the CPC. (Newswire)

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A decision has been taken to reduce three-wheeler fares in the Western Province, the Road Passenger Transport Authority of Western Province announced. 

According to the Authority, the amended fares will be effective from 15 July.

Thereby, there will be no revision of the Rs. 100 fee charged for the first kilometre, while Rs. 90 will be charged for the second kilometre. (Newswire)

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Bus fares will be reduced by 5% from 01 July 2024, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has announced. 

President of the Association, Gemunu Wijeratne said that this will result in a Rs. 2 reduction in the minimum bus fare. 

Addressing the media, he said, accordingly, the minimum bus fare will be reduced from Rs. 30 to Rs. 28.

The decision was taken during a meeting between the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association and Transport Ministry officials today. (Newswire)

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Three-wheeler fares will not be increased despite a hike in fuel prices, the All Island Three Wheeler Owners’ Association (AITWOA) announced.

President of the Association, Sudil Jayaruk said they do not intend to further burden the public with fare hikes as they are already facing hardship due to the economic crisis. 

His comments come after fuel prices were increased with effect from midnight yesterday (Aug. 31). 

Meanwhile, the National Transport Commission (NTC) says there are high chances of bus fares being increased due to a hike in diesel prices.

According to Lankadeepa, a senior official of the NTC said that if the recent price hike is more than 4% as per the pricing formula, then bus fares will have to be increased.

The senior official further said that the NTC will announce its decision on bus fare revision today. (NewsWire)

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The Ministry of Transport has revised the fares of expressway buses in line with the revision of fuel prices.

According to the Ministry, the reduced expressway bus fares will be in effect from today, 31st March 2023.

The amended expressway bus fares are as follows:

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Three-wheeler fares will be reduced by Rs. 20 per kilometre in line with the fuel price revision, the All Island Three-wheeler Drivers’ Association announced today.

President of the Association Lalith Dharmasekera said that thereby all three-wheeler drivers have been requested to charge Rs. 100 for the first kilometre, followed by Rs. 80 from the second kilometre.

Stating that he can only speak on behalf of three-wheelers with meters, he said that such three-wheelers were currently operating under various fares.

He further said this was due to three-wheelers being provided with a weekly fuel quota of five litres, resulting in them having to operate using fuel purchased for a higher price.

Lalith Dharmasekera further said three-wheeler fares can be further reduced if the fuel quota is increased in line with the fuel price reduction. (NewsWire)

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The Ministry of Transport has decided to reduce the minimum bus fare for Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses.

The Ministry of Transport stated that the minimum bus fare will be reduced from Rs. 34 to Rs. 30.

According to the Ministry, the price revision will come into effect from Friday, 31st March 2023. 

The Transport Ministry added that the revision of other fares will be notified tomorrow (30). (NewsWire)

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