Effective immediately, the fees for utilizing the public restroom facilities at the Bastian Mawatha Bus Stand in Colombo have been raised to Rs. 50 per person, marking a significant increase from the previous rate of Rs. 20 per person.
The decision to revise the lavatory usage charges came following an agreement between the maintenance personnel and the National Transport Commission office. Officials cited the recent surge in water tariffs as a primary factor behind the fee adjustment, noting that the monthly water bill has skyrocketed to Rs. 175,000, representing a substantial increase of Rs. 60,000.
While the increase in operational costs necessitated the adjustment in fees, it's worth noting that the public lavatory facilities maintained by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) at Bastian Mawatha remain unaffected by the revision. As of now, the charges for these facilities stand at Rs. 40 per person.
The fee hike has sparked mixed reactions among commuters and residents frequenting the bustling bus stand, with some expressing concerns about the affordability of the new rates, while others acknowledge the need for adequate maintenance and upkeep of public amenities in the face of rising operational expenses.
