No need for bus fare hike, says NTC

June 20, 2010 01:13 am

Responding to news reports that private bus owners are clamouring for a fare hike, National Transport Commission (NTC) chairman Shashi Welgama says there is no reason at this moment for a fare hike.

The private bus operators are requesting a 5.7 per cent increase in fares.

However, Shashi Welgama says that it is not reasonable and that a fare increase is most of the time a result of an increase in the price of diesel. The calculations by the NTC indicate the need for a marginal 0.4 per cent increase and not the amount the operators want.

The private bus operators’ union is to meet on Sunday to take a final decision and its chairman Gemunu Wijeratne has said that irrespective of the NTC decision, they would increase bus fares by July 01.

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