Eid travel declines amid rising cost of living

Transporters report 40–45% decline in Eid passengers; railways suspends eight trains

RAWALPINDI:

Soaring inflation, increased transport fares and the skyrocketing prices of sacrificial animals have forced a large number of residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to celebrate Eidul Azha in Rawalpindi and Islamabad this year instead of travelling to their native towns and villages.

As a result, passenger traffic at the 54 transport terminals across the twin cities has remained unusually low ahead of the Eid holidays, while bus stands are missing their traditional festive rush.

Patron-in-Chief of the Mutahida Transport Federation Haji Zahoor Arain said passenger numbers during the Eidul Azha season had declined by 40 to 45 per cent this year.

He stated that whereas entire families previously travelled to their ancestral villages for Eid celebrations, this year only one or two family members were making the journey instead of the whole household.

Arain added that despite the announcement of lengthy summer vacations in schools, there had been no noticeable increase in the number of passengers travelling to their hometowns.

Due to the decline in passenger numbers, Pakistan Railways has also suspended the operation of eight trains, while railway stations have started wearing a deserted look.

"With only two days remaining before Eidul Azha, it remains to be seen whether passenger numbers increase or not, though the chances appear slim," he remarked, adding that many people who intended to travel had already left over the weekend because public holidays would continue throughout the coming week.

He further said that the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals had also witnessed a decline of 40 to 45 per cent this year. According to transporters, the principal reason behind the sharp increase in transport fares is the sudden rise of Rs50 to Rs70 per litre in petrol and diesel prices over recent months.

They maintained that the nominal reduction of Rs5 in fuel prices carried little practical impact, as the cost of vehicle spare parts, tyres and the salaries of drivers, conductors and helpers had all increased substantially.

Passengers complained that transporters were now charging full-seat fares even for children aged 10 years, describing the practice as exploitative. They also alleged that additional charges equivalent to a full seat fare were being demanded for luggage.

Commuters said stagnant incomes and relentless inflation had severely strained household finances.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) said that monitoring teams would continue inspecting transport terminals until Eidul Azha, adding that challans and fines had already been imposed against transporters involved in overcharging and overloading passengers.