The minimum bus fare has been reduced from Rs.40 to Rs.38.
The National Transport Commission announced that all other bus fares will also be reduced by 2.23 percent from midnight.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Department of Government Information this morning,
Director General of the National Transport Commission Nilan Miranda said the NTC conducted the relevant calculations in line with the reduction of fuel prices on Sunday.
Miranda said fare will be revised for all 350 routes and instances.
He said the fare for the longest bus route being from Kataragama to Point Pedro will reduce by Rs.66 for normal service.
The Director General of the NTC said the price reductions will also applicable to all other types of bus services.
He said the price reduction will be implemented at midnight adding directives have been issued to the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board and Chairpersons of the Road Passenger Transport Authorities and for the price reduction to be displayed in all buses.
Meanwhile, NTC Director General Nilan Miranda urged the general public to lodge complaints regarding conductors who do not provide the balance according to the price reduction, through the 1955 hotline number.
He said the SLTB and all Road Passenger Transport Authorities have been instructed to ensure prices have been clearly displayed and for mobile invigilators to investigate whether passengers are being issued a ticket and the correct balance.
He said necessary action will be taken against inter-provincial buses under the direct authority of the National Transport Commission who do not adhere to these regulations.
Meanwhile, Director General of the National Transport Commission Nilan Miranda promises another bus fare reduction in the near future.
Director General Nilan Miranda said a decision was taken to increase bus fares by 20 percent since last September on the condition that passengers will be transported according to the seat capacity of vehicles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nilan Miranda said necessary steps will be taken to reduce bus fares by 20 percent since passengers are now being transported above the seating capacity at present.
He said the National Transport Commission with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers based on a circular issued by the Ministry of Health increased bus fares of normal bus routes by 20 percent.
The NTC Director General said steps have already been taken to direct a Cabinet Paper in order to obtain Cabinet approval.
He also said they have directed letters to the Health Ministry to inquire their current recommendations on passenger transport.
When questioned by media on a timeline as to when the reduction will be implemented, Miranda said he was unable to confirm an exact date but confirmed they will implement the reduction as soon as possible.
