Raja Bazaar-Kallar Syedan transport service allegedly overcharging commuters

Rawalpindi

Commuters travelling between Raja Bazaar and Kallar Syedan have protested against overcharging by drivers and conductors as they are not following the Punjab Transport Authority (PTA) notification regarding revised cut in fares.

The management of bus service from Raja Bazaar to Kallar Syedan is charging Rs15 stop-to-stop while Rs32 for Rawat and Rs65 for last stop of Kallar Syedan.

The commuters alleged that newly started ‘Darbar Urban Transport’ from Raja Bazaar to Kallar Syedan with full backing of District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) is overcharging. While, other public service vehicles (PSV) including buses and wagons are taking Rs12 stop-to-stop while Rs24 from Raja Bazaar to Rawat and Rs50 for Kaller Syedan.

Darbar Urban Transport Service on duty Manager Muhammad Saleem Awan has admitted all fact and figures and said that we are providing good transport facilities to commuters, therefore, charging extra. We have provided new coaches and better environment to public, he claimed.

District Regional Transport Authority ((DRTA) Secretary Owais Manzoor Tarar told ‘The News’ that we have started urban transport service from Raja Bazaar to Kallar Syedan. We have provided good and air conditioned coaches to public. There is some difference in fares in simple public service vehicles and air conditioned public service vehicles. But, I will take strict action against it, he assured.

It is worth mentioning here that there is no need of air conditioner in winter and secondly Punjab government plying Metro Bus Service (MBS) which is air conditioned facility, WiFi facility, neat and clean look etc. The commuters particularly ladies are enjoying this travelling. A common man could reach Islamabad within 40 to 45 minutes easily by paying only Rs20.

Talking to ‘The News’ commuters here at Raja Bazaar said that majority of population travelling from Raja Bazaar to Kallar Syedan was poor villagers. The concerned authorities should take action against overcharging by the bus transport service, they demanded.

Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi from Rawat said that ‘Darbar Urban Transport’ is a common transport service like others. Why, they are charging Rs15 stop-to-stop and Rs32 for Rawat. Why are they not observing Punjab Transport Authority (PTA) notification regarding cut in fares and have fixed Rs12 stop-to-stop, he denounced.

Nazakat Hussain from Dhoke Awan said that we are poor and a few rupees have big value for us but concerned authorities not thinking about it. “I appreciate to start urban transport service from Raja Bazaar to Kallar Syedan but they should follow the orders of Punjab government regarding new fares,” he said.

Malik Muhammad Hameed from Shah Bag said that we had filed several complaints with District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) office requesting it to take action against overcharging but to no avail.