The National Transport Commission and the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) have agreed to increase the minimum private bus fare from July 6, it was reported. 

LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne says the minimum private bus fare will be increased from Rs. 30 to Rs. 34. 

He further said that fares for journeys up to 100 km have been agreed to be increased by 12%.

Meanwhile, those for journeys exceeding 100 km have been agreed to be increased by 20%.

Also, for luxury services, bus fares will be increased by 12% for destinations less than 100 kilometers and by 15% for destinations more than 100 kilometers. (Newswire)

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The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association has alleged that Rs. 7 billion in public funds are being wasted on the government’s new Metro Bus initiative.

Chairman of the Association, Gamunu Wijeratne, charged that the Metro Bus scheme is implemented by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) under another name and warned it would further erode the country’s passenger transport system.

“It is because of the SLTB that passenger transport in Sri Lanka was destroyed. Now, by introducing Metro buses, this government is doing the same again. This is how the Treasury is being wiped out. This is a national crime,” Wijeratne said.

He argued that the new buses will not address systemic inefficiencies in public transport, but instead replicate past failures while draining taxpayer money. (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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The CCTV program initiated by the Sri Lanka Police to trace traffic offenders in Colombo is effective from today (Jan 22). 

Accordingly, traffic offenders will be traced using Police CCTV cameras placed in 33 crucial locations in Colombo. 

As per the initiative, the fine sheets of those found guilty will be sent to the address of the registered owners of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has opposed the Police’s CCTV program to trace traffic offenders in Colombo 

Chairman of LPBOA, Gemunu Wijeratne said the bus priority lane law must be implemented if buses are to be regulated under this programme. 

He further said that the operation of buses faces issues due to other vehicles, including three-wheelers, travelling in the bus lane. (NewsWire)

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The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has warned of halting bus services across the country in the near future to protest the repeated inspection of private buses for excess smoke and the imposing of fines.

Chairman of the Association Gemunu Wijeratne told the media today that the Department of Motor Traffic is continuously conducting inspections of private buses to identify shortcomings. 

The Association does not oppose action against excess noise, modifications, stickers, etc. However, complaints have been received from bus owners that the Police were stopping buses and conducting smoke tests while on duty, Wijeratne said.

Pointing out that buses are allowed to operate only after obtaining the relevant vehicle emissions licence, he said, however, fines are being imposed by the Police after repeatedly checking buses for excess smoke. 

“The cause for the excess smoke is due to the importation of auto diesel with a high percentage of sulfur. If quality fuel is distributed then the issue of excess smoke can be resolved,” he said. 

Gemunu Wijeratne stated that the Department of Motor Traffic and the Ministry of Transportation have been warned of this.

He further accused the authorities of subjecting only private buses to smoke tests, stating government buses are not being inspected. (NewsWire)

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