Transporters increase fares by up to 30% ahead of Eid

RAWALPINDI:

Like every year, transporters in the twin cities have increased fares up to 30 per cent ahead of Eidul Fitr, which is causing inconvenience to passengers leaving for hometowns to celebrate Eid with their loved ones and relatives.

Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has set up two teams to monitor public transport fares as people started leaving for their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their loved ones.

According to sources, the two mobile squads will check overcharging, overloading, speeding and fitness of public transport. A control room has also been set up at the RTA office with five staff members on duty to tend to public complaints.

Buses will ferry passengers to every nook and corner of Pakistan from Pir Wudhai General Bus Stand, 26 No Chowrangi Bus Stop and Faizabad Bus Stand.

Ramna Ali, a passenger traveling from Rawalpindi to Sukkur, said that transporters were charging excessive fares like every year. He said that bus and wagon transporters charge extra for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned seats.

He said that people traveling with families including children were facing the most difficulties due to the extra charge. He said that there was a lack of facilities at bus stations, causing inconvenience to passengers in the scorching heat. Transporter Shahbaz Niazi said that it was very easy to accuse transporters of an increase in fares. Everyone should understand the fact that during Eid season, vehicles that remain full to the brim while leaving the twin cities to return to Rawalpindi and Islamabad are almost empty which was causing loss to transporters.

He said that prices of petroleum products have skyrocketed in recent times while the rent imposed by the government has been in place for past one year.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2022.