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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Private bus owners at crossroads by Deepal Warnakulasuriya Two private bus owner associations are in disagreement over the much talked about bus fare hike. While the Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) rejects a fare hike at this time, the All Ceylon Private Omnibus Owners' Association still seeks a fare hike. LPBOA Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne, who accepted the fare revisions of the last two years, said that they still did not accept the national policy for private buses introduced by the National Transport Commission (NTC). The policy was invalidated by the NTC refusing the due fare hike on July 1 according to the policy. He said that they would go for a fare hike by themselves once fuel prices increase. Meanwhile, Omnibus Association Vice Chairman Stanley Liyanage also said that the present circular of fare revision should be amended and a fare hike implemented before August 1. He also threatened that if not, they would charge VAT on bus fares from August 1. While Transport Minister Felix Perera said 'no' to any fare hike for private buses, Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said SLCTB fares will not be raised while a decision on private bus fares will be taken on July 26 following several discussions between NTC and Transport Ministry officials and bus owners' associations. The Deputy Transport Minister told a media briefing held at the NTC recently that the cost for private bus owners had increased by 3.6 per cent compared to last year. He said the quality of the service will also be evaluated this year, before any fare hike under the fare revision scheme. NTC Chairman Dr. Amal Kumarage said that they had arranged a discussion on July 20 to take a final decision over the bus fare hike, but unavoidable reasons cancelled the meeting. |
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