Metro Bus fare likely to go up by Rs10 in Punjab

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided in principle to withdraw the Rs12 billion subsidy offered for passengers of the Metro Bus service in the province, including Rawalpindi.

The subsidy will be withdrawn in two phases. The first would see a Rs10 increase in fares from the beginning of the next fiscal year 2019-20. It will be followed by a Rs5-Rs10 increase in the fiscal year 2020-21.

The subsidy will be completely removed over the next four years.

It has also been decided that the government will launch wagons and small air-conditioned coaches along the metro bus route.

The route will start from Saddar and end at the Islamabad Secretariat after passing through Murree Road and Bari Imam. Additional routes will be added from Rawat to different areas after work on the Leh Expressway is completed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2019.