Transporters increase fares after hike in fuel prices

Rawalpindi: The transporters have increased fares after the announcement of increase in POL prices on Monday and have warned of stopping their vehicles if Punjab Transport Authority (PTA) not increased stop-to-stop fares by Rs14 against Rs10.

Taxi and rickshaws have also increased their fares by 10 to 15 per cent after the fresh increase in POL prices. Without any notification, goods transporters have increased fares by 10 per cent and long route transporters increased Rs20 per ticket after hike in POL prices on Monday.

All Pakistan Goods Transporter Association (APGTA) Joint Secretary Saeed Ahmed Khan has confirmed increase in fares by 10 per cent after fresh jump in POL rates. The government has revised prices of petrol by Rs4.6 per litre and fixed new rate Rs81.53 per litre. The price of high-speed diesel has been increased by Rs3.96 per litre and fixed new rate at Rs89.91 per litre. The price of light diesel has increased by Rs6.25 per litre and fixed new rate to Rs58.37 per litre.

Similarly, the highest increase was recorded in price of kerosene oil Rs6.79 per litre and fixed new price Rs64.30 per litre. District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) Secretary Khalid Yameen Satti told ‘The News’ that local transport bodies on Monday have submitted their demands to increase fares according to fresh increase in POL prices, which I have sent to the Punjab Transport Authority (PTA) for further action.

He said, “Transporters could not increase fares at their own.” He has also warned of strict action against them if they increased fares at their own. Muthidda Transport Welfare Association (MTWA) General Secretary Ghulam Mustafa and Rawalpindi/Islamabad Suzuki Union Association Chairman Raja Riaz have strongly condemned increase in POL prices. They have warned to stop all public service vehicles if government not withdrawn increase of POL prices.

All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajran Vice Chairman Shahid Ghafoor Piracha has strongly condemned the increase in POL prices. He said that it would increase inflation in the markets. Government should withdraw this increase otherwise business community will come on roads, he warned.

Maryam Fayyaz, a working woman said that I have paid Rs170 against Rs150 of a taxicab to reach my office on Monday. I have asked taxi driver why he was demanding high fares today he answered that government increased POL prices, she said.

Irshad Ahmed a common citizen has strongly criticized government policies said that officials blindly increasing POL prices without thinking of public financial difficulties. It will create an uncertain situation among public, he warned.