Sri Lanka’s National Transport Commission (NTC) has implemented a 4.24% reduction in bus fares, effective from midnight on October 1, in response to a drop in diesel prices. The minimum bus fare has decreased from 28 rupees to 27 rupees. This fare adjustment applies to all categories of buses, including normal, semi-luxury, luxury, and super-luxury services.
The Ministry of Transport has warned that legal action will be taken against bus operators who do not comply with the new fares. Gemunu Wijeratne, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), stated that their pricing formula mandates a fare revision when there is a 4% increase or decrease in diesel prices. Diesel prices were reduced by 10 rupees on August 30 and by another 24 rupees on September 30, prompting the fare adjustment.
Anjana Priyanjith, General Secretary of the Inter Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA), suggested that the minimum fare could be lowered further to 25 rupees, aligning with commuters’ expectations.
In addition to bus fares, the prices of fuel have also been reduced, with petrol dropping by 21 rupees per litre to 311 rupees, diesel by 24 rupees to 283 rupees, and super diesel by 33 rupees to 319 rupees. Kerosene prices were cut by 19 rupees, now priced at 183 rupees per litre.
Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) has criticized the previous government for what they claim was an excessive tax burden on fuel, affecting the public.