No respite: Transporters immovable over fares despite fuel price cut
Transporters argue that since they run their vehicles on CNG, the price cut it does not affect their fares
MINGORA/PESHAWAR:
Transporters in Swat are adamant to not slash fares despite a sizeable decrease in petrol and diesel prices announced by the federal government last week. However, passengers travelling in Swat district and inland are getting increasingly irate over what they consider to be overcharging.
“The fuel price drop brings no relief to us. We are being charged the same fares as we were before. I just came from Peshawar in a passenger van and paid Rs240 for the journey,” Ahmad Khan, a passenger at Mingora bus stand told The Express Tribune.
Passengers in Swat complained public transporters do not follow any fare list. “I have never seen them (transporters) follow official fares. They always fix their own fares and nobody questions them,” said Sajjad Ahmad, a university student.
Zerab Gul Khan, a traffic in charge in Mingora, told the media all the transporters in Swat have been directed to reduce fares according to the reduction of fuel prices.
“The per person fare for the journey from Mingora to Peshawar has been fixed at Rs230 and those transporters who fail to abide by it will be fined,” he said.
Transporters however, argued that only petrol and diesel prices have been reduced and since they run their vehicles on CNG, it does not affect their fares.
“Our vehicles are CNG operated and the prices of CNG are still the same. How can we reduce the fares,” questioned Dildar Ghani, a van driver, adding that very few vehicles run on petrol.
Owners of public transport also complained filling stations are not adhering to the new rates. “Pump owners are charging us the same prices and do not comply with the new rates announced by the government,” said Zaryab Khan, a coaster driver.
Mass-transit remains a perennial issue in the district. Pricing is left at the mercy of public transporters. Whenever the government announces a change in fuel rates, passengers have to bear the brunt.
The cost of heading to the capital
Passengers also claim that transporters are overcharging those travelling to the provincial capital from various areas. The regular fare per person travelling from Mardan to Peshawar is Rs90 while transporters are reportedly charging Rs100 per person despite accommodating four passengers on one double seat.
Motorway Police remains tight-lipped over transporters making a windfall at the expense of passengers.
Most of the transporters from Buner, Abbottabad, Mardan, Swat and other districts violate transport regulations. They lay blame on the fact that by the time the provincial government revised fares, they had already purchased fuel on the previous prices as had the petrol pumps.
Chief Minister Complaint Cell member in Mardan, Nasir Khan Amazai, said a number of complaints have been registered against transporters violating fare lists. He told The Express Tribune, “We have informed the district administration to take action against the offenders.” He said the cell has suggested traffic police set up a check post on the Peshawar motorway, and conduct checks to identify offenders.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2014.
Transporters in Swat are adamant to not slash fares despite a sizeable decrease in petrol and diesel prices announced by the federal government last week. However, passengers travelling in Swat district and inland are getting increasingly irate over what they consider to be overcharging.
“The fuel price drop brings no relief to us. We are being charged the same fares as we were before. I just came from Peshawar in a passenger van and paid Rs240 for the journey,” Ahmad Khan, a passenger at Mingora bus stand told The Express Tribune.
Passengers in Swat complained public transporters do not follow any fare list. “I have never seen them (transporters) follow official fares. They always fix their own fares and nobody questions them,” said Sajjad Ahmad, a university student.
Zerab Gul Khan, a traffic in charge in Mingora, told the media all the transporters in Swat have been directed to reduce fares according to the reduction of fuel prices.
“The per person fare for the journey from Mingora to Peshawar has been fixed at Rs230 and those transporters who fail to abide by it will be fined,” he said.
Transporters however, argued that only petrol and diesel prices have been reduced and since they run their vehicles on CNG, it does not affect their fares.
“Our vehicles are CNG operated and the prices of CNG are still the same. How can we reduce the fares,” questioned Dildar Ghani, a van driver, adding that very few vehicles run on petrol.
Owners of public transport also complained filling stations are not adhering to the new rates. “Pump owners are charging us the same prices and do not comply with the new rates announced by the government,” said Zaryab Khan, a coaster driver.
Mass-transit remains a perennial issue in the district. Pricing is left at the mercy of public transporters. Whenever the government announces a change in fuel rates, passengers have to bear the brunt.
The cost of heading to the capital
Passengers also claim that transporters are overcharging those travelling to the provincial capital from various areas. The regular fare per person travelling from Mardan to Peshawar is Rs90 while transporters are reportedly charging Rs100 per person despite accommodating four passengers on one double seat.
Motorway Police remains tight-lipped over transporters making a windfall at the expense of passengers.
Most of the transporters from Buner, Abbottabad, Mardan, Swat and other districts violate transport regulations. They lay blame on the fact that by the time the provincial government revised fares, they had already purchased fuel on the previous prices as had the petrol pumps.
Chief Minister Complaint Cell member in Mardan, Nasir Khan Amazai, said a number of complaints have been registered against transporters violating fare lists. He told The Express Tribune, “We have informed the district administration to take action against the offenders.” He said the cell has suggested traffic police set up a check post on the Peshawar motorway, and conduct checks to identify offenders.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2014.