The Cabinet will discuss a proposal to raise bus fares today, October 23. The National Transport Commission (NTC) explained that the recent rise in fuel prices, especially the cost of Lanka auto diesel, has greatly affected the formula for adjusting bus fares. Because of this, the NTC estimates that bus fares could go up by more than 10% from the current rates. Dr. Nilan Miranda, the Director General of the NTC, mentioned that a paper has been submitted to the Cabinet to seek approval for the new fare structure. This proposal is set to be presented for approval today. However, several bus associations had already indicated that the fare increase should have taken effect yesterday, October 22. Representatives from these associations visited the NTC to discuss the issue but reported that they did not get a satisfactory answer. Since the fare increase was not put into action yesterday, bus unions have warned that they might stop operations today. Gemunu Wijeratne, the President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), also stated that continuing bus services would not be possible until the fare hike is approved.
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