On paper only?: PTA slashes public transport fares

The notification asks for the immediate implementation of the new fare list in the province.

PESHAWAR:

After the federal government announced a reduction in petroleum products, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government issued a notification to decrease public transport fares by roughly 7% per passenger.

The notification, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, was issued by the secretary transport and asked for the immediate implementation of the new fare list in the province. It stated after the reduction in the price of petrol and diesel, the provincial transport authority (PTA) has worked out the per passenger rate for diesel-operated passenger vehicles.

The official from the transport department said the new list will be displayed at the general bus stands for the benefit of the passengers. Peshawar Bus Terminal (PBT) Manager Rashid Gul Khan told The Express Tribune an overall rate reduction of 6% was seen after the drop in price of petroleum products. Tickets for diesel-operated vehicles have been reduced, Khan added.

The new rate for a flying coach ticket from PBT to Bannu is now Rs213, Rs366 for DI Khan, Rs170 for Haripur, Rs210 for Abbottabad and Rs237 for a ticket to Mansehra. According to Khan, the price fixed for AC coaches from the provincial capital to Bannu is Rs252, Rs433 for DI Khan, Rs201 for Haripur, Rs249 for Abbottabad and Rs280 for Mansehra.A luxury bus from Peshawar to Bannu will cost Rs203 per passenger, Rs349 for DI Khan, Rs162 for Haripur, Rs201 for Abbottabad and Rs226 for a ticket to Mansehra.

According to Khan, with the second drop in petroleum prices, an overall reduction of 13% has been “strictly” implemented in fares.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2014.