[ad#200×200]Train fares too to be revised: CTB and private bus fares will be revised from November 11 to pass on the benefit of the fuel price reduction as announced by the Government through the 2009 budget proposals on a directive of Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.
The National Transport Commission (NTC) has effected a complete revision of the bus fare formula in concurrence with the diesel price reduction which was effective from midnight on Thursday.
NTC Chairman Prof. Amal Kumarage said the minimum bus fare will be reduced from Rs. 7 to Rs. 6 while the Rs. 10 fare will come down to Rs. 9 and the Rs. 116 bus fare will be Rs. 106.
Present Bus fare Reduced by range (Rs.) (Rs.) 7.00 - 10.00 1.00 14.00 - 20.00 2.00 23.00 - 28.00 3.00 30.00 - 44.00 4.00 46.00 - 50.00 5.00 52.00 - 69.00 6.00 71.00 - 73.00 7.00 75.00 - 87.00 8.00 90.00 - 95.00 9.00 97.00 - 116.00 10.00 This will bring fares of both the Sri Lanka Transport Board and private buses. |
The Transport Minister has instructed the Railways Department to explore the possibility of revising the existing train fare in compliance with the diesel price reduction as an immediate relief to passengers.
Railways Department officials said they have to consider any daily loss resulting when implementing such a train fare revision. However they were hopeful that a train fare revision will be effected within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Private Bus Owners Association Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne yesterday challenged the NTC’s unilateral decision and declaration of bus fare revision which he said violated the National Transport Policy.
“According to the National Transport Policy, the NTC should consult the Transport Ministry and Private Bus Operators associations before such a move is effected.
But the NTC did not seek our opinion when new bus fares were formulated.
Wijeratne said his association will take legal action as the NTC has revised and declared a bus fare revision without their Association’s knowledge. A unilateral fare revision is a violation of the Transport Policy agreed upon by all stakeholders in the field including the regulatory body (NTC) before it was implemented.
“The Commission can not revise the minimum bus fares without our consent. That is illegal. The authorities should have discussed this issue with us before such a fare revision is declared. The declaration of a fare hike is arbitrary and in contravention of the National Transport Policy”, he said.
However, Wijeratne said a revision of bus fares other than the minimum bus fare reduction can be accepted.
By Chaminda PERERA
source: DailyNews.lk