RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Since oil prices hit record high, the mercenary class began to bear the brunt. Carriers rob passengers without official fare list and increased the fare on the way by 10 rupees due to apathy of Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
For last over and yearRTA did not set a tariff list and allowed transport workers fix tariffs on them. Both the previous PTI and current Government PML-N failed curb in.
By law, carriers cannot fix tariffs and should follow in official list otherwise, the RTA may revoke its permissions to the route. However, in in last one year, the authorities have not canceled a single route permit, and after a recent surge in oil prices he took no action on complaints of passengers.
Mohammad Ishaq, resident of Pakistan, said he often travels from the Disabled Society to Islamabad and public The transport wagon cost him 50 rupees. However, the fare has been increased to 60 rupees per person. on Friday, he added.
“When I asked driver why did they charge more, he replied that oil prices had been raised. However, he failed pay a fare list issued by the RTA,” he said.
Subhan Malik, resident of Glassworks, said he worked in Islamabad and the van charged him 30 rupees from Rawal Road to Faizabad, but now they have increased the fare to 40 rupees. He said a lot people tried to raise issue but the RTA and the traffic police refused to listen to them.
Mohammad Taukir, resident of Chaklala Scheme-III, said the fare has been increased by Rs 10 per stop. on Friday. He said he went to Raja Bazaar on van and driver 50 rubles were debited from him. instead of 40 rupees.
He said the carriers had raised fares, but they didn’t have official fare list with them.
The transporters were of in view that prices rose and it was difficult for they continue to work in losses. However, when asked why they did not answer, they did not have an answer. reduce tariffs in March when government reduced oil prices.
Malik Mehboob, Representative of The Islamabad Rawalpindi Transport Association said the RTA forced carriers from December to March not to raise fares or issue Any list but after new surge in oil prices were difficult for carriers to continue the old fares.
On the other hand, RTA secretary Rashid Ali said the authorities had sent a news bulletin to Punjab. government to notify new tariffs. However, other officials of RTA said in absence of provincial transport minister the bureaucracy did not want to take decisions and untied the hands of the carriers.
They said the most of in public transport vehicles run on CNG, but they charged tolls according to oil prices and it was duty of transport department to take action.
Published in Dawn, May 28, 2022
