Bus fare hike takes effect tomorrow: LPBOA raises calculation concerns

The revised bus fare structure will come into effect from tomorrow (July 6) following an announcement by the National Transport Commission. The new fares will apply islandwide to both private and state-operated bus services, covering short-distance routes, long-distance services, and luxury coaches. Chairman of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, said the revised system affects a large number of buses operating across the country, including thousands of long-distance and short- to medium-distance services. He raised concerns over the method used to calculate the revised fares, particularly for short-distance routes. He said the new structure introduces changes in distance-based calculations that differ from the system used over the past two decades. Wijeratne also said that under the revised framework, long-distance fares are calculated based on an average across distance categories, which he claims may create inconsistencies in short-distance pricing. He further noted that if fuel prices, particularly diesel, decrease in the future, short-distance fares may not necessarily come down in line with expectations under the current calculation method. However, the National Transport Commission has already announced the revised fare schedule, which will be implemented as planned from tomorrow. He urged passengers to cooperate during the transition period and called for a review of the fare calculation system, citing potential structural issues in the pricing mechanism. (Newswire)