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| Sunday, 13 June 2004 |
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Minister says 'No' to bus fare hike by Anton Nonis Transport Minister Felix Perera has assured that he would not allow the increase of private bus fares from next month and is determined to maintain the fares at the present rates. The minister's statement was supported last week by the National Transport Commission (NTC) which was also against any fare increase. Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA), however, stands firm on its decision to increase fares by eight per cent from July 1. LPBOA President, Gemunu Wijeratne said that eight percent was the minimum amount of increase they have thought of at present. It was the maximum rate the NTC could allow. "But it could be even more. A final decision on the fare increase will be made during the next two weeks," Wijeratne said. Minister Perera told the Sunday Observer that a fare increase is extremely unreasonable just because it has been approved by the previous regime two years ago. He said the new government need not follow the practices of the previous one. If permission was given every year for the eight per cent increase, it will soon reach a stage when the bus fares would become unbearable, the Minister pointed out. The NTC, which is the regulatory body for fare increases, was deeply distressed over the manner LPBOA carried out its transport service. NTC Chairman, Dr. Amal Kumarage had reiterated his call for an improvement of services by the private operators. On the other hand, LPBOA President, Wijeratne blamed the earlier governments for the failure to improve the services. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
