Transport: Jadoon justifies raise in bus fares

Sindh Minister for Transport says the last time bus fares were increased was in June 2010.

KARACHI: The recent increase in bus fares is justified since the last time they were raised was in June 2010, said Sindh Minister for Transport Akhtar Hussain Jadoon.

Talking to the press on Saturday, he said that the fluctuation should be followed closely. “If we calculate the rate of the increase in the prices during the last 10 months, a raise of Rs17 per stage has been required. However, keeping the grievances of the masses in mind, bus fares were only raised by Rs2 per stage.”

Jadoon said that the transport fares have been raised in different cities, including Lahore, where the fare was increased by Rs3 per stage.

“Everybody threatens to protest whenever the fares are raised, but no one tries to determine the rationale behind it,” the minister concluded. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2011.