Transport fares in Rawalpindi have been increased after a Rs15 rise in petroleum prices, with public transport up seven per cent and goods transport rates up 10 per cent. Operators and union representatives have criticised the weekly fuel price revision mechanism.
RAWALPINDI: Transport operators have raised fares again after petroleum prices were increased by Rs15, with public transport charges going up by seven per cent and goods transport and loader vehicle rates within the city increasing by 10 per cent.
Public transport running within the city and nearby localities has set stop-to-stop fares at Rs50. Bykea motorcycle riders have also revised their charges, increasing route fares from Rs200 to Rs300.
Fares charged by Chingchi rickshaws, Suzuki pickups and wagons have also been increased. Travel to nearby destinations including Kachehri, Morgah, Rawat and Pirwadhai has been fixed at Rs80, while the fare for travel between Rawalpindi and Islamabad has reached Rs100.
Pick-and-drop charges for students and working women have also gone up by Rs1,000 to Rs1,200, adding to the burden on regular commuters.
The latest increase in transport fares has also contributed to another rise in the prices of food items and essential commodities. The fare revision has meanwhile led to disputes between passengers and conductors, with arguments being reported over the new rates.
Transporters criticise weekly fuel price revisions
Transport Federation patron-in-chief Haji Zahoor Arain said there was no clear policy on petroleum pricing and that repeated increases were placing a constant burden on the public. “Petrol and diesel prices should be fixed for at least one month. Changing prices every Friday is unfair,” he said.
Taxi and Rickshaw Union Secretary Malik Mustafa said fare increases became unavoidable whenever petrol and diesel prices were raised. He said the transport sector had suffered badly in recent years, while the prices of vehicles, spare parts, tyres and fines had risen by up to 500 per cent.
He also criticised the mechanism of revising fuel prices every week, saying it was unjustified to increase fuel prices by Rs50 one Friday, reduce them slightly the following Friday and then raise them again by Rs15 to Rs20.
Mustafa called on the government to adopt a monthly petroleum pricing policy instead of making frequent revisions.
The latest fare increase comes as commuters in Rawalpindi and adjoining areas face higher travel costs across multiple modes of transport, from public vehicles to motorcycle ride services and student pick-and-drop arrangements.
