New fares: Transporters protest govt crackdown

Say officials are harassing them and collecting thousands of rupees in fines

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Transporters blocked Pull Dot road in Dera Ghazi Khan on Thursday to protest against the Regional Transport Authority.

RTA Secretary Muhammad Azhar Hussain Chandia had ordered a crackdown last week against transporters who were still charging customers old fares. In the order, the RTA secretary said lists of fares should be displayed in vehicles. He said those found flouting government orders should be fined.

Muhammad Akhtar, one of the protesters, told The Express Tribune that the RTA secretary vehicles had been impounded by police “without a reason.”

He said passengers were facing problems because many bus routes had been disrupted due to a shortage of vehicles.

Akhtar said government officials were harassing transporters and were exhorting thousands of rupees in fines.

However, some passengers present at the scene told newsmen that the transporters had been overcharging, despite government orders in this regard.

They said the government should take action against overcharging without disrupting transport services.

The transporters blocked the road by parking buses and demanded transfer of the RTA secretary.

They said the 50 impounded vehicles should be released.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the RTA secretary said transporters had ignored government instructions to revise the fares.

He said they had been notified about the new fares several times.

He said they had also been warned against overcharging.

He said the crackdown had been launched after a number of complaints were received. He said the transporters had started protesting against the government when they were fined and their vehicles were impounded.

A police team, led by a DSP, meet with the protesters and assured them that senior officials would be informed about the situation. The transporters dispersed after receiving the assurance.

DCO Nadeem Rehman told The Express Tribune that no action will be taken against transporters abiding by government’s orders.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2014.