Massive overcrowding seen at bus stands

Thousands of people residing in Rawalpindi have started preparations to return to their native towns to celebrate Eidul Azha but the hike in transport fares has upset their plans, as transporters have arbitrarily increased fares and demanding that passengers pay the raised fares.

The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) seems unable to stop transporters from demanding excess fares.

The transport operators have arbitrarily increased fares from Rawalpindi to other parts of Punjab citing the increase in fuel prices but people are determined to return to their homes to celebrate Eid with their families and loved ones.

As such they have decided to pay the enhanced fares.

Sunday saw large crowds gather at all bus stands of Rawalpindi to leave for their native places. A massive rush was witnessed at all 55, big and small transport stands in Rawalpindi and some people even travelled by standing as all seats were booked.

Most of the local buses and wagons that ply in Rawalpindi were being run on inter-city routes. Owing to this, citizens who rely on public transport to commute faced difficulties.

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The operators of Qinqi rickshaws have also hiked fares by Rs20 per passenger and other modes of transport like taxis and private taxis have also raised their charges by the same proportion.

The fares for air-conditioned wagon coaster buses on long routes have been increased from Rs50 to Rs300 per passenger while additional charges are demanded for luggage. This has led to heated arguments between transporters and passengers.

It has been learnt that that fare of buses from Rawalpindi to Lahore has been jacked up to Rs550 for non-air-conditioned (AC) bus and Rs1,200 for an AC bus.

Rs700 is being charged for Mianwali and up to Rs800 for Sargodha.

The fares from Rawalpindi to Karachi vary between Rs1,800 to Rs3,500, Rs600 to Rs1,300 for Faisalabad, up to Rs1,200 for Sialkot, and Rs500 for Peshawar.

Moreover, rent-a-car service providers are charging Rs 7,000 from Rawalpindi to Karachi. As many people have left for their hometowns, the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also started to become deserted.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2021.