Transport fares hiked across Rawalpindi

Ride-hailing services and rickshaws have also increased rates

RAWALPINDI:

Transporters across Rawalpindi have increased fares on all urban, intercity, and suburban routes following a sharp hike in petrol and diesel prices. Passengers are now paying Rs20–30 more per ride on local and twin-city routes (Rawalpindi–Islamabad), while fares on long routes have gone up by Rs40–50 per passenger.

Pakistan Railways has also decided to raise train fares. The sudden fare hikes have led to disputes between transporters and commuters in the twin cities. Qingqi rickshaw operators have added Rs10 per ride, while motorbike ride-hailing services like Bykea have increased fares from Rs100 to Rs130 per trip.

Public transport vehicles such as Suzuki vans and Bykea servicing routes like Fawara Chowk to Bhara Kahu, Rawat, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Sihala, Golra Sharif, and Chaklala Airport have added Rs20 to their fares. Other routes including Saddar to Adiala Jail, Taxila, Rawat, Kahuta, and Kutchery have seen fare increases ranging from Rs10 to Rs20 per passenger.

Passengers complain that fares rise immediately with fuel price hikes but are never reduced when prices drop. "From Raja Bazaar to Morgah, Rs10 extra was charged per person, yet no official fare hike notification has been issued," said commuter Asghar Ali.

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Transport Federation, Asif Khan, justified the increase, stating, "Our vehicles run on petrol and diesel. When prices go up, it affects everything - spare parts, maintenance, tires - all have become 100% to 400% more expensive. We can't bear any more losses. Toll taxes and traffic fines have doubled or tripled, and traffic police bribes have also increased."

Adding to the chaos, many petrol stations across the city suspended fuel sales late Sunday night around 11pm in anticipation of the price hike. Most stations refused to dispense more than 1–2 litres per customer, leading to long queues of cars and motorcycles. Normal sales resumed after the official announcement of the new prices.