Fuel price shock brings double whammy for commuters
A worker fills a car's tank at a fuel station amid concerns about rising fuel prices linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Photo: Reuters (file)
Following a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices, goods transporters on Tuesday immediately raised freight charges by 15%, while local public transport operators increased the minimum stop-to-stop fare from Rs50 to Rs60 across the city and other destinations.
Inter-city and inter-district fares have been increased by 10%, while fares on long-distance routes have risen by 12%, placing an additional burden on commuters.
The increase in goods transportation costs has also triggered a reported 15% rise in the prices of essential commodities and food items. Flour dealers across the district have increased delivery charges, resulting in an increase of up to Rs5 per kilogramme in flour prices.
The sharp rise in transport fares has sparked growing concern among citizens and passengers, with disputes between commuters and transporters reportedly becoming increasingly common.
Fares for school, college and university pick-and-drop services, as well as office transport, have also been increased by Rs500 to Rs1,000.
Citizens have alleged that the district administration and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) have been unable to effectively control fares. Meanwhile, transport operators are benefiting from the sharp rise in fuel prices.
The freight rate for containers and heavy goods vehicles operating between Karachi and Peshawar has reportedly risen again to as much as Rs800,000.
The Transport Federation has also protested against what it described as repeated daily increases in fares. Following the latest increase in petrol prices, Bykea motorcycle riders have reportedly raised their charges substantially as well.
The introduction of daily revisions in petroleum product prices has further complicated the issue of public transport fares in Rawalpindi.
Transporters on various routes have allegedly fixed fares according to their own preferences, while the absence of official fare charts in many vehicles has left passengers at the mercy of conductors.
Citizens said fares were increased immediately whenever there was even a minor rise in petroleum prices, but were not reduced by a corresponding amount when fuel prices fell.
Passengers who ask to see the official fare chart or refuse to pay additional amounts reportedly face heated arguments and, in some cases, physical altercations with conductors.