Bus fares increased by 12.19%; Minimum fare at Rs. 30

Bus fares in Sri Lanka will rise by 12.19 percent starting at midnight today, October 23, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. The minimum fare will go up from Rs. 27 to Rs. 30. The maximum fare, which was Rs. 2,159, has increased by Rs. 263, bringing it to Rs. 2,422. The Cabinet of Ministers reviewed and approved the proposal for this fare increase today. The National Transport Commission (NTC) earlier stated that the recent rise in fuel prices, especially for Lanka auto diesel, played a major role in the need to adjust bus fares. The NTC explained that this change leads to an increase of over 10% from the current rates. Dr. Nilan Miranda, the Director General of the NTC, mentioned that a Cabinet paper was submitted to get approval for the new fare structure. Additionally, some bus associations had requested that the fare changes take effect from yesterday, October 22. Representatives from these associations visited the NTC to discuss the issue but reported that they did not receive a satisfactory reply.