RAWALPINDI:
Following a second major rise in oil prices, public transport operating within the city, on long routes between the twin cities and surrounding areas, has increased fares.
The inter-stop fare has been increased to Rs 30, making it the new minimum fare.
Rawalpindi-Islamabad public transport has increased the fare per passenger by Rs 15, while routes to suburban areas and tehsils, including Rawat and Taxila, have seen an increase of Rs 20. Intra-city routes have increased fares by Rs 10.
Pakistan Railways is also expected to increase fares this week.
Cargo transportation from Karachi to Peshawar, including trailers and containers, has increased from Rs 0.25 crore to Rs 0.27 crore. Locally, cyclists have increased fares from Rs 150 to Rs 200 per ride. Qingqi rickshaws have increased fares by Rs 10 per passenger.
The increase in fares has caused disputes between carriers and passengers. Conductors have reportedly started offloading passengers who refuse to pay the increased fares.
Citizens complained that carriers have started charging a full fee for luggage and charging minor children a ticket. Pick-up and drop-off services for students and employees have also increased fares, charging students between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per route.
Citizen Feroz Ali said that when petrol and diesel prices dropped two weeks ago, the rates were not reduced but were increased immediately after the increase, calling it unfair. Transport Federation vice-president Asif Khan said fuel prices are decreasing marginally but increasing substantially.
He added that vehicle prices had increased by 500 percent, tires and inner tubes by 700 to 1,000 percent, spare parts by 100 percent and traffic obstacles had increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. Each vehicle faces three to five monthly challenges. He said that the salaries of drivers, conductors and workers also increased, and that fees for transport positions must be paid. Due to rising costs, the transportation business had come to a standstill and 30 to 35 percent of small transporters had left the sector in the last three years due to continuous losses.
