RAWALPINDI:
As the Eidul Azha holidays began on Tuesday, a steady influx of travelers from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continued to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their loved ones.
On the last day before Eid, an extraordinary rush of passengers was observed at transport terminals and carriage stands, while shortage of vehicles, overloading and excessive fares caused serious difficulties to travellers.
Although a large number of travelers had already left for their native places before Eid, large crowds still persisted on the final day at various transport hubs in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including the Pirwadhai bus terminal. Large numbers of people continued to flock to transport stations in a bid to spend Eid with their families.
Due to a severe shortage of passenger vehicles, citizens and families were forced to endure long waits at terminals. Several routes, including those serving Multan, Mianwali, Layyah and Kot Addu, were reportedly facing transportation shortages, while complaints also emerged that transporters were charging much higher rates than the prescribed rates.
A worker identified as Kareem said: “We have been waiting for several hours. There are very few vehicles available and fares are charged almost double the normal rate.”
Another passenger, Afzal, said: “There are ten of us. We have been at Pirwadhai terminal since 4am and need to travel to Kot Addu, but there is no vehicle available. Now we are being told that a bus may arrive at 3pm, so we are still waiting.”
Passengers further alleged that some transport operators were resorting to overloading vehicles. “We arrived here early in the morning and even bought expensive tickets, but there are no vehicles available. We are told that buses can arrive between 3pm and 4pm,” they said, adding that the current situation not only aggravates the difficulties for commuters but also increases the risk of accidents due to overloading.
Carriers, however, maintained that vehicles were sent to their destinations as soon as they arrived, although they acknowledged that transportation shortages remained a serious problem.
Meanwhile, following multiple complaints, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), along with the Highway Police and Rawalpindi City Traffic Police, continued their crackdown on transporters involved in overcharging and overcharging. According to officials, challans were issued against violators and excess fares collected from passengers were also refunded.
Highway police spokesperson Saqib Waheed said the highway police had returned more than Rs 2.6 million in excess fares to passengers. He further revealed that more than 9,000 challans had been issued for charges related to overcharging, overcharging and incomplete travel documentation.
Separately, CTP spokesperson Kashif Shoroosh said challan tickets had been issued to 177 vehicles for charging higher rates than the approved ones.
Meanwhile, RTA Secretary Asad Abbas said that RTA Rawalpindi had issued challans to 68 vehicles and ensured that 133 passengers were refunded excess fares collected.
