Petrol price shock triggers huge fare hike

Unannounced increases in rickshaw, motorcycle fares deepen financial strain on commuters

KARACHI:

Following a massive surge in petroleum prices, transport fares in the metropolis have risen sharply, placing an additional financial burden on commuters, particularly those belonging to low- and middle-income groups.

According to a survey conducted by The Express Tribune, self-employed transport operators, including rickshaw drivers and motorcycle riders, have increased fares without any official notification.

Fares for 6- to 9-seater rickshaws have gone up by Rs20 to Rs30 per passenger. Similarly, motorcycle-based ride services have increased charges by Rs70 to Rs150 depending on distance, citing higher fuel costs.

Rickshaw driver Rustam Ahmed said the government has increased petrol prices by Rs137.23 per litre, bringing the new rate to Rs458.41 per litre. Due to the shortage of public transport, 6- and 9-seater rickshaws remain a major mode of travel for the working class, he added.

"After the increase, short-distance fares have reached Rs40, medium-distance fares Rs70, while long-distance fares now exceed Rs100. From start to end of route, fares have crossed Rs120," he said, adding that these increases have been implemented informally.

Three-seater rickshaw driver Nadeem Akhtar said fares for shorter routes have increased to Rs50, medium routes to Rs100, and longer routes to over Rs150. He further stated that these rickshaws are mostly used by families and women, who are now facing added financial pressure.

Motorcycles, which serve as a primary mode of transport in the city, have also become costlier to operate. Saud Shahid, a factory worker commuting from Surjani Town to Korangi Industrial Area, said he consumes around two litres of petrol daily.

"With the new prices, my daily fuel expense has increased by around Rs280, adding nearly Rs8,400 to my monthly budget," he said. "My monthly petrol expense alone is now Rs27,600, and with maintenance costs, it reaches Rs30,000. How can someone earning Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 manage this?"

At a fuel station on MA Jinnah Road, in-charge Abdul Rehman said the trend of buying petrol worth Rs100 has effectively ended. "Now motorcyclists have to purchase at least Rs200 to Rs250 worth of petrol even for short travel," he said.

Office worker Maheen Iftikhar said her daily commuting expense has increased by Rs150, raising her monthly transportation cost by Rs4,500. "Transport costs have gone up, but salaries remain unchanged. The government should increase wages by at least Rs5,000 to Rs10,000," she demanded.

Motorcycle ride service provider Saif Mehmood said rising fuel prices have forced operators to increase fares.