Private buses to stop operations after Nov. 9

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today said they would refrain from countrywide private bus operation from November 9.   IPPBA President Sarath Vijitha Kumara today said the Government had not responded to any of their demands following the COVID-19 pandemic. “The bus services suffered huge losses due to the pandemic situation,” he said.   

“We have requested the President to grant a diesel concession or to increase the bus fare. However, we did not receive any of them from the Government.   He said most of the private bus owners operate their buses with the aid of leasing or finance facilities.   

“We have also requested the government to direct the leasing and finance companies to grant at least another six months instalment relief,” Mr Vijitha Kumara said.  
 
“The bus industry is almost in a state of collapse,” he added.   
Therefore, we have decided to stop the private bus service operation countrywide from November 9.