Transporters split over new rules of business

Insaf Transport Federation announces resumption of services

LAHORE: Uncertainty prevails regarding resumption of transport services the province as transporters have split into two groups over acceptance of the terms set by the government in this regard.

One group decided to resume transport operation on Sunday, while the other did not agree to the terms announced by the government.

A group named Insaf Transport Federation announced at a press conference that it would resume the services. Addressing the press conference along with other leaders of the group, Insaf Transport Federation President Mirza Shehzad said the SOPs set by the government would be fully implemented.

He said that fares would be reduced and passengers would be offered 15% reduction in non-AC transport fares and 20% in AC transport fares.

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Punjab Transport Secretary Asad Rehma Gilani said while talking to The Express Tribune that the SOPs had been prepared in consultation with the department. Some transporters said they had accepted the decision to reduce fares by 20% but now they were being forced to run buses with 50% passengers.

They said no written SOPs had been given to them by the Punjab government.

All Pakistan Public Transport Association Chairman Ismatullah Niazi, while addressing a press conference along with other officials, said the SOPs mentioned by the government were different from those that had now been given to them.

He maintained that buses cannot run with 50% passengers, therefore, his group had decided that public transport would not ply on the roads across Punjab from Monday.

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“Public transport cannot be operated under these SOPs,” he added. On the other hand, the Pakistan Goods Transporters’ Association announced a 25% to 30% reduction in fares due to the recent decrease in diesel prices. It also demanded a reduction in the prices of other commodities.

Pakistan Goods Transporters’ Association General Secretary Tariq Nabil said, “The government should reduce the prices of commodities in the markets because of the reduction in fares so that the general public can get benefit from the reduction in fares.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.