Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said yesterday that train fares are being revised for the first time in over a decade from October 1.
He said train fares had not been increased since 2008 whereas bus fares were increased every year and that train fares were 40 per cent less when compared to bus fares.
This fare revision is based on the instructions by the Treasury to revise rates by at least 15 percent of government institutions that have not raised the rates during the last three years.
Although there has been no change in the minimum train ticket price of Rs 10 for third class, Rs.20 for second class and Rs. 40 for first class, the distance that can be travelled for the ticket has been reduced from nine kilometres to seven.
According to Sri Lanka Railways sources, due to the absence of a fare hike over the past 10 years, the Department had incurred a loss of Rs. 6.7 billion in 2017 alone.
In an environment where the Railway Department makes losses each year, it is necessary to increase rates in order to maintain the service, he opined.