Increased bus fares irk commuters amid soaring inflation

Rawalpindi:The recent increase in bus fares across Rawalpindi has left everyday commuters frustrated, with many questioning the rationale behind the hike amid stagnant wages and inflation.

“The fare for my usual route has gone up by Rs10 in just two weeks. It may seem like a small amount to some, but for those of us earning Rs25,000 a month, every rupee counts. No one consulted us,” says Hamid Hasan, a private office worker who travels from Saddar to Faizabad daily. “Local transporters are citing rising fuel prices and maintenance costs as the reason for the fare surge. However, there is no uniformity, with drivers charging arbitrary amounts during peak hours and on longer routes,” say commuters.

“The Regional Transport Authority was not available for comment, but a man, speaking on condition of anonymity, said fare structures were being reviewed in light of fuel price volatility. We understand public concerns,” says Fahd Hussain. “For thousands of Rawalpindi residents who depend on public buses to get to work, school, and hospitals, the sudden surge in fares feels like the last straw in a city already burdened by rising costs of living,” says Bushra Hussain.

“I travel from Dhoke Kala Khan to the Blue Area daily. One-way fare saw a 50% increase within weeks. My salary has not moved in two years,” says Sharif Hussain, a 32-year-old clerk earning Rs27, 000 a month. “Drivers are charging whatever they want — Rs50 here, Rs70 there — and if we argue, they just throw us off. There’s no one to listen to poor people,” says Saima Bibi, a domestic worker who travels with her 8-year-old daughter.

“Students, too, are bearing the brunt. A group from Gordon College shared that their daily transport expenses have doubled since January. There is no student fare anymore, and the buses are more packed than ever. We hang from the sides of the buses, and now we are also being charged more for the risk,” says a second-year economics student. “The fare hikes are unofficial but unavoidable. With fuel prices and spare parts so expensive, our drivers cannot survive on old rates. But we agree the system needs regulation,” says Faraz Ali, a local transport union representative.