The impact of the latest increase in petroleum product prices has started reaching the transport sector, with public and goods transporters raising fares on their own.
Public transporters in Lahore have increased fares by 5%, while goods transport and mini Mazda fares have been raised by up to 10%. The revised fares have been implemented from today.
The federal government’s increase in petroleum product prices, including a Rs15 rise in diesel, has directly affected transport operations.
Transporters say they can no longer run vehicles at previous fares because fuel, maintenance and operating costs have gone up sharply.
Lahore transporters raise fares
In Lahore, public transporters have voluntarily increased fares by 5%. Goods transport and mini Mazda operators have raised fares by 10% after the increase in diesel prices.
However, the Punjab Transport Department and the Regional Transport Authority have not yet officially announced any fare increase.
RTA Lahore Secretary Rana Mohsin said a consultative meeting has been called with transporters to discuss the fare issue. He said the meeting would decide at the official level how much fares should be increased.
Mini Mazda operators announce 10% hike
Pakistan Mini Mazda Association President Haji Sher Ali announced a 10% increase in fares in Lahore. He said transporters did not increase fares during the previous diesel price hike, but this time they were unable to maintain old rates.
“We are forced to increase fares again due to the rise in diesel prices,” Haji Sher Ali said.
Goods transport fares rise in Karachi
In Karachi, Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shahzad Awan condemned the increase in petroleum prices.
He announced a 4% increase in goods transport fares and criticized federal government policies, saying transporters were being forced to park their vehicles.
Awan said neither the federal nor provincial governments were providing relief to goods transporters. He added that the Rs80,000 subsidy being given by the federal government for truck trailers was very low.
According to him, truck trailers make around four trips a month, while monthly expenses have increased by Rs800,000.
“If the federal government does not review its policies, Pakistan’s transport will come to a standstill,” he warned.
Quetta routes see fare increase
Goods transport fares have also increased after the petroleum price hike, with charges for different cities rising by up to Rs10,000.
In Quetta, goods transporters said vehicles cannot operate at current diesel prices. They said drivers’ salaries and mechanic expenses have become very high.
Transporters added that amid current inflation, it has become difficult for them to even run their households.
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