Fares spike amid fuel price hike

Citizens protest as intercity, local, goods transport costs skyrocket

RAWALPINDI:

Following record-high petrol and diesel prices, transport fares across long routes, intercity, and intra-district services have surged drastically, placing a heavy burden on citizens.

Fares for public transport, rickshaws, motorcycle ride services, goods transport, and pick-and-drop services for students and working women have increased sharply. Stop-to-stop fares have been raised to Rs60, while railway and metro bus services have also decided to increase fares.

Ambulance services transporting dead bodies have increased charges by 40 per cent, making it extremely difficult to transfer bodies to native areas.

The rise in goods transport fares has led to a significant increase in the prices of essential commodities, food items, and construction materials. Disputes between citizens and transporters have also intensified.

Freight charges from Karachi to Rawalpindi have surged from Rs0.26 million to Rs0.89 million within a month. Similarly, transport costs from wholesale markets in Faisalabad and Sargodha have increased by 200 per cent.

Local fares for Qingqi rickshaws have risen from Rs30 to Rs50, while fares from Raja Bazaar to District Courts now stand at Rs60 and up to Rs200 for suburban areas.

Pick-and-drop charges for students have increased from Rs2,000 to Rs2,600 per month. Motorcycle ride services have raised fares from Rs100 to Rs150 and from Rs200 to Rs250.

Overall, major transport companies have increased fares by up to 65 per cent. Public reaction has been strong, with citizens protesting against the price hikes and questioning government policies.

Transport representatives said rising fuel costs and increased fines have pushed the sector to the brink, forcing them to raise fares despite declining passenger numbers.

Authorities weigh fare hike proposals

Following a sharp increase in petroleum prices, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and district administration Rawalpindi have initiated consultations with transport unions and bus stand owners to stabilise fares.

A meeting chaired by Additional Deputy Commissioner General Maliha and RTA Secretary Asad Abbas Shirazi reviewed the situation after petrol and diesel prices rose significantly.

Participants noted that diesel prices increased by approximately 54.93 per cent, while petrol prices rose by around 42.73 per cent.

Proposals discussed included a 25 per cent increase in local non-AC fares, 30 per cent for local AC transport, 37 per cent for intercity AC services, and 32 per cent for intercity non-AC services. A 35 per cent increase in goods transport fares was also agreed upon.

The recommendations have been forwarded to the Punjab Transport Department. Officials stated that any fare increase will only be implemented after approval from the competent authority.

Residents stage protest

Residents of Zafarul Haq Road staged a protest against the historic surge in petroleum prices, holding placards and chanting slogans against the government while demanding an immediate rollback of the increase.

The protest, organised by the Citizens Rights Movement Pakistan and led by its chairman, Zehra Awan, saw demonstrators vocally rejecting the steep hikes in petrol and diesel prices and calling on the government to provide urgent relief to citizens.