Ministry to systematise sections for bus fares

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Ministry of Roadside Passengers of the Ministry of Transport has decided to systematise the sections for bus fares based on distance so that bus conductors cannot charge passengers arbitrarily.

The first section for buses plying in low line areas will be two kilometres and buses plying in upcountry areas will be 1.7 kilometres according to the regulations.

Minister of Roadside Passengers Lasantha Alagiyawanna said there had been numerous complaints from commuters that they were charged exorbitantly by conductors who decided on the fare arbitrarily.

Stern action will be taken against bus conductors charging commuters according to their whims and fancies and not complying with the regulations of the National Transport Commission (NTC), the Minister said.

He said bus fares have become a major hindrance to develop districts that are affected by poverty.

The Ministry of Transport has decided to reduce the bus fares to help poverty hit districts such as Moneragala and Hambantota to develop its economy and the standard of living in keeping with the Gama Naguma program of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to develop the villages.

Of the 333 inter provincial bus routes bus fares on 171 routes have been reduced. The bus fares on other routes will be revised shortly, he said.

The reduction of bus fares on inter provincial routes are Rs. 1-9, 71 routes, Rs. 10-49 86 routes, Rs. 50-99 nine routes and for fares over Rs. 100 five routes.

There are 2,449 bus routes in the country and already fares on 500 routes have been revised. The Ministry has also decided to revise the bus fares on the remaining routes. The Minister said he has taken steps to bring in law and order into the public transportation and also improve the standard of services so that commuters could travel without any hassle.

Director (Policy) NTC, M. A. Jeffrey said the revision of bus fares applies to private and public transportation and that bus fares are determined by the NTC.

[email protected]