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Transport unions agree to settle for Rs. 3.50
The Private Bus Owners' Association is continuing to agitate for a minimum bus fare of Rs. 4, despite receiving the go ahead on Friday to increase the minimum fare to Rs. 3.50 from the current Rs. 3.

With this increase coming into effect from September 1 a crippling bus strike planned for Monday was called off. "We are doing this in two stages. While the minimum fare of Rs. 3.50 would come into effect on September 1 it would be increased to Rs. 4 from November 1", Lanka Private Bus Operators President Gemunu Wijeratna told The Sunday Times.

"We are facing a loss of .50 cents. Even during the UNP government we gave this benefit to the public. This is not a government decision. We decided to operate the service till November even though at a loss to help the commuters", he said.

The transport unions agreed to this decision on the condition that should the price of diesel go up by even by Rs. 1, the minimum bus fare must be increased to Rs. 4.

This decision was taken by the unions following its five-hour discussion with the Cabinet sub committee held at Temple Trees. The sub committed comprised Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena and A. H. M. Fowzie, Transport Ministry secretary D. S. Jayaweera and National Transport commission chairman Dr. Amal Kumarage.

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