There will be a 15% increase in bus fares if no fuel subsidy is received, President of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners' Association Gemunu Wijeratne says.
Speaking to the media today (12), Wijeratne said that due to the increase in diesel prices, buses will be completely phased out by next Monday.
However, if a fuel subsidy is provided, bus fares need not be increased and buses can remain in operation.
He added that there would be no need to increase bus fares if private buses could be refueled at previous prices through the SLTB or through cooperative depots.
He, therefore, requested the Minister of Transport and the Secretary to the Ministry to take necessary action to provide a fuel subsidy.
General Secretary of the All Island Private Bus Owners' Union Federation (AIPBOUF) Anjana Priyanjith said that 80% of the buses will not be running today and the remaining 20% will be out of service by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) President Sarath Vijitha Kumara said that all buses are preparing to withdraw from service due to the unbearable increase in fuel prices.
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