Transporters say that government officials were imposing huge fines on them in their drive against overcharging. They say they will continue to protest until the government stopped victimising them.
At the same time, the RTA secretary said the transporters did not start charging new fares by Monday (today) their routes and licenses would be cancelled. Talking to The Express Tribune, Muhammad Amjad, a transporter, said the RTA secretary, the district administration and the traffic police was harassing transporters during their drive against overcharging.
He said transporters were being fined huge sums and their vehicles were being challaned “without any reason.”
Rehmat Ali, another transporter, said they had decided to observe a partial strike that would continue till government officials stopped harassing them.
Talking to The Express Tribune, RTA secretary Tariq Chaudhary said the transporters were protesting because a crackdown had been launched against them for charging their customers old fares.
“After reduction in fuel prices, the government issued new fares for various routes with a substantial reduction but some transporters have flouted the orders and continue to charge old fares,” he said.
He said he had visited several bus stands after receiving several complaints and found that fare collectors on 22 vehicles charging old fares.
He said their owners were fined. He said transporters had observed the strike in response to government action.
The RTA secretary said the government had a comprehensive plan to resolve the issue.
“The new fares will be enforced. The benefits of reduced fuel prices should be enjoyed by all citizens,” he said.
He said transporters had been warned against overcharging.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2014.
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