• Say separate fare structures for long- and short-distance services will create confusion

The Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) claimed the proposed annual bus fare revision, which came into effect since yesterday (5) midnight, is a distortion of the fare policy, charging the Government had deliberately failed to regulate fares in a fair and consistent manner.

LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said that more than 10,000 buses are engaged in short-distance services across the country, while around 3,000 buses operate on long-distance routes.

He said that introducing two different fare structures for these services would place an unnecessary burden on passengers and create confusion.

Wijeratne also questioned what would happen to the proposed 12 per cent fare increase for short-distance services if diesel prices continue to decline in the coming months.

He said that even if fuel prices are reduced further, it would become impossible to lower fares for short-distance services under the proposed system.

The National Transport Commission has approved a 20 per cent fare increase for long-distance bus services under the annual fare revision.