Fuel prices: Private bus operators demand further reduction

by Ananda Kannangara

The Private Bus Operators Association (PBOA) yesterday demanded the Government to make a further reduction of Rs. 12 on diesel if they wanted to pass the benefit of the present fuel price reduction to the commuters.

Speaking to the `Sunday Observer', PBOA, President Gamunu Wijeratne turned down yesterday's request made by Transport Minister A. H. M. Fowzie, asking the private bus operators to reduce the bus fare, considering the recent fuel reduction.

"The Government reduced the price of diesel by Rs. 5.00 and it is not ethical for the Minister to ask us to reduce the bus fare," he said.

He said the price of diesel was increased by Rs. 9.00 from April this year and another increase, Rs. 8.00 on fuel was effected by the Government before April.

Despite these increases the bus fares were not jacked up and therefore our Association is not prepared to reduce the bus fares at this juncture," he said.

He said when making such a request, the Minister must also focus the attention on the high cost in the prices of tyres and tubes, lubricants, spare parts, the salaries of bus crews and instalments paid by bus owners to finance companies etc.