Transport fares swell after fresh fuel price hike

Public transport fares in twin cities increase by 7 per cent

RAWALPINDI:

Transporters have once again increased fares following a Rs15 rise in petroleum prices.

Public transport fares have been increased by seven per cent, while goods transport and loader vehicle charges within the city have gone up by 10pc.

Public transport operating within the city and adjoining areas has raised stop-to-stop fares to Rs50. Bykea motorcycle riders have increased route fares from Rs200 to Rs300.

Chingchi rickshaws, Suzuki pickups and wagons have also raised fares. Travel fares to nearby areas including Kachehri, Morgah, Rawat and Pirwadhai have been fixed at Rs80, while fares between Rawalpindi and Islamabad have reached Rs100.

Pick-and-drop charges for students and working women have also increased by Rs1,000 to Rs1,200.

The rise in transport fares has triggered another increase in the prices of food items and essential commodities. Arguments between passengers and conductors have also started over the fare hike.

Transport Federation patron-in-chief Haji Zahoor Arain said there was no clear petroleum pricing policy and citizens were constantly burdened by fuel price increases.

"Petrol and diesel prices should be fixed for at least one month. Changing prices every Friday is unfair," he said.

Taxi and Rickshaw Union Secretary Malik Mustafa said fare increases became unavoidable whenever petrol and diesel prices were raised. He said the transport business had been badly affected over the past few years, while prices of vehicles, spare parts, fines and tyres had increased by up to 500pc.

He criticised the weekly revision mechanism, saying increasing fuel prices by Rs50 one Friday, reducing them slightly the next Friday and then increasing them again by Rs15 to Rs20 was unjustified.

He demanded that the government introduce a monthly policy for petroleum prices.