PESHAWAR: The financial challenges faced by the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, initiated during the PTI regime, have prompted proposals for a fare increase in Peshawar to cover the deficit.
The KP Urban Mobility Authority has submitted a summary of suggestions to the provincial government. One proposal recommends a fare increase of 5 to 20 rupees, generating an estimated annual income of 1 billion 36 crore 33 lakh rupees. Another suggestion proposes a fare hike of Rs 5 to Rs 10, with an annual income of Rs 672.1 million.
Despite soaring oil prices, BRT fares have remained unchanged, resulting in significant subsidies from the provincial government. The proposed fare increase aims to ease this burden on the government.
The document also suggests exploring additional options alongside the fare hike, including an increase of Rs 10 to Rs 20 in express route bus fares. Currently, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government provides an annual subsidy of over 3 billion rupees for the BRT Peshawar project.
It’s worth noting that BRT fares were previously increased by Rs 5 in June 2023. The financial challenges faced by the project highlight the complexities of sustaining large-scale infrastructure initiatives.
BRT ROUTES
Constructed at a cost of around Rs 70 billion, the BRT Peshawar track is 27 km long, with 220 air-conditioned buses operating.
There are two routes with seven and thirty-one stops for public convenience.
The BRT route extends from Chamkani to Karkhano Market, operating seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For public convenience, two routes have been introduced on the same track. The route from Chamkani to Karkhano Market consists of seven stops and takes 45 minutes to complete. The second route has 31 stations, and the journey takes one hour. The fare for the first five kilometers is fixed at Rs 10, increasing by Rs 5 after every five kilometers.
