LAHORE:
The sharp rise in oil prices has begun to impact the country’s transport sector, raising fares for buses, rickshaws, taxis and railways and piling new pressure on commuters already struggling to keep up with rising living costs.
Transport operators in several cities have started increasing fares on both intercity and urban routes, citing rising fuel prices along with rising cost of maintenance and spare parts.
Public transportation companies say increases have become inevitable as operating expenses continue to rise, leaving them with no choice but to pass the extra burden on to passengers.
Public transport operators in several cities have increased fares from Rs 300 to Rs 600 on major intercity routes, citing rising fuel prices and higher vehicle maintenance costs.
In Lahore, transporters announced revised rates for various destinations. The fare from Lahore to Faisalabad increased from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,350, while the long-distance route from Lahore to Karachi increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 8,600.
Similarly, the fare from Lahore to Sargodha increased from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,550, that from Lahore to Islamabad increased from Rs 2,600 to Rs 3,000 and that from Lahore to Peshawar increased from Rs 2,890 to Rs 3,500.
Other routes also saw notable increases. Tickets from Lahore to Hyderabad increased from Rs 8,650 to Rs 9,200, while trips to Murree increased from Rs 2,790 to Rs 3,300. The fare from Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan rose from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,250.
Short-distance travel has also become more expensive. Non-AC bus fares from Lahore to Dipalpur increased from Rs600 to Rs750, while the fare from Lahore to Kasur increased from Rs120 to Rs150.
Urban commuters face similar pressure. Rickshaw fares in Lahore have increased by up to 30%, while taxi and ride-hailing services have increased prices by 25-30%, further straining household budgets already squeezed by inflation.
Revised rail fares
The impact has also reached the railway sector. Pakistan Railways announced that economy class passenger ticket fares will increase by 5%, while air-conditioned classes will see a 10% increase. Freight train fares will increase by 20%.
According to a railway spokesperson, the revised fares will come into effect from March 9, although previously booked tickets will not be affected. Officials said the increase became inevitable after the recent rise in diesel prices and operating costs.
Challenged walk at the LHC
Meanwhile, the rise in oil prices has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
A petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel maintains that the government increased petrol prices by Rs 55 per litre, calling the move illegal and harmful to the public.
The petition argues that higher fuel prices will increase costs in multiple sectors, including transportation, electricity, agriculture and food. It also states that oil marketing companies currently have fuel reserves for 15 days, questioning the justification for the price increase.
