Public transport in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and surrounding areas has raised fares following a second major increase in petroleum prices. The stop-to-stop fare has now been fixed at Rs. 30, becoming the new minimum for intra-city travel.
Longer routes between Rawalpindi and Islamabad have seen a Rs. 15 increase per passenger. Trips to suburban areas and tehsils, including Rawat and Taxila, have increased by Rs. 20. Short intra-city routes now cost Rs. 10 more per ride. Pakistan Railways is also expected to raise fares later this week.
Goods transport between Karachi and Peshawar, including trailers and containers, has risen from Rs. 0.25 million to Rs. 0.27 million. Locally, bike ride fares have increased from Rs. 150 to Rs. 200. Qingqi rickshaw fares have also gone up by Rs. 10 per passenger.
The fare hike has sparked disputes between transporters and passengers. Conductors have reportedly started offloading passengers who refuse to pay the increased fares. Citizens have complained about unfair practices, such as charging full seat fares for luggage and collecting fares from minor children. Pick-and-drop services for students and female employees are now charging between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 per route.
Resident Feroz Ali said it was unfair that fares were not reduced when petrol and diesel prices fell two weeks ago, but increased immediately after the hike. Transport Federation Vice President Asif Khan explained that while fuel prices decrease only slightly, they rise sharply in other areas.
He added that vehicle costs have skyrocketed, with prices up by 500%, tyres and tubes by 700-1,000%, and spare parts by 100%. Traffic challans have doubled from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000, and each vehicle receives three to five challans every month. Wages for drivers, conductors, and labourers have also increased, along with transport stand fees.
Khan warned that rising costs have paralyzed the transport business. Over the past three years, 30-35% of small transporters have left the sector due to continuous losses.
