RAWALPINDI: The public transport operators have also increased fares after unprecedent surge in petrol and diesel prices by the caretaker government.
The sudden hike in fares has caused distress among the citizens.
The public transportors have increase fare in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Regional Transport Authority has become helpless in the face of the relentless rise in petroleum prices, leading public transport operators to raise fares.
The fare for Rawalpindi-Islamabad routes has increased from 40 to 50 rupees. The fare from Rawalpindi to Rawat has risen from 140 to 170 rupees.
The fare from Rawalpindi Railway Station to Kacheri Chowk has increased from 50 to 60 rupees. The fare from Rawalpindi Railway Station to Taxila has now reached 160 rupees after a 20 rupee increase. THEtaxi fares have also been raised.
Public transport fares for traveling from Rawalpindi to other cities have also seen an increase. AC and non-AC buses have raised their fares from 500 to 3500 rupees.
Goods transport fares have also seen a sudden 200 rupee increase for every 10 kilometers, leading to price hikes in food items, meat, vegetables, fruits, and all consumables.
Malik Shahzad Awan, President of Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, announced a 10% increase in fares, stating that the rise of 26 rupees in petrol prices and 17 rupees in diesel prices is a burden on the public.
Shahzad Awan mentioned that first the previous government and now the current government are depriving the people of their right to live. Due to the wrong policies of the previous government, almost all exports have ceased. “We are operating our transport just to keep the country’s wheel turning. If we stand our transport as a protest, millions of people will become unemployed.”
