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Warding off the bus fare hike spectre

The private bus sector, on which the majority of the public has been compelled to depend over the years, is showing signs of entering a stormy track once again with clamours for a fare increase emerging from the Private Bus Operators Association. A malfunctioning private bus sector is, of course, bad news for the ordinary people who have no reason to be particularly delighted over current living costs. A steep bus fare hike is likely to make their cup of sorrow overflow with bitterness.

The latest news is that the Private Bus Operators Association would be forced to impose a 30 per cent fare hike unless the Government adopts before May 15th the National Fare Increase Policy which was drafted by the former administration. Apparently, this policy allows for a review of bus fares annually, among other requirements.

It must be granted right away that private bus operators have reason to be concerned about running costs in the wake of the recent fuel price increases. Rising recurrent expenditure of the private bus sector is something the Government needs to be cognizant of.

However, fare increases cannot be imposed on an ad hoc basis on account of their adverse impact on living costs, particularly if they are likely to be substantial. Such increases, if found to be necessary, need to be effected on a rational basis after taking into consideration the interests of all parties to the problem, including those of the commuters.

That there is a noticeable lack of communication among these parties is one thing which would have struck readers who perused our front page news report yesterday on this question. While State Transport Minister Piyasoma Upali was quoted as saying that he had instructed the National Transport Commission to "discuss the issue with the relevant parties", NTC Director General, P. M. Gunarathne Banda had reportedly said that although the PBOA had made numerous statements to the media, route permit owners had not requested for a change in fares.

According to the NTC head, it is route permit owners and not the PBOA who should take up such issues. Nevertheless, he is ready for discussions "with route permit holders or any other relevant parties regarding this issue".

The general public cannot be faulted for being confused at this uncoordinated Babel of Voices. Apparently, the protagonists to the drama are willing to resolve their problems through discussions but they don't seem to be talking to each other, nor are they entering into a coordinated dialogue. We request that a structured dialogue be held among the numerous parties to ensure that the public is spared a painful, steep bus fare hike.

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