RAWALPINDI  – Transporters of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are not in mood to reduce fares despite reduction in prices of petrol, diesel and CNG.
The government announced to reduce petrol and CNG prices by up to Rs 10.46 per litre and Rs 4.37 per kilogram respectively, following a fall in global oil prices.
Following the announcement, the commuters were hoping this would translate to lower fares.
“The hike in fares should be reversed as people are already troubled by inflation and increasing costs of living,” said Muhammad Adress government employee, who commutes between the twin cities on  daily basis.
Adress said he spends between Rs 60 and Rs 80 on transport and if fares are kept reasonable people would prefer public transport over private cars.
Jalal Khan working at privet clinic, appeals the government to take measures to reduce the fears of public transport.
Qasim Khan, route number 1 driver, said last time fears were increased in January 2010.
“The petrol and CNG prices were Rs 68 per liter and Rs 44 per kg respectively. While fuel prices doubled in two years and fares should be much higher than what we are charging at the present,” he said.
All Pakistan Transporters Association President Malik Sultan Awan talking to this agency said reducation of fuel price is not enough to decrease transport fares.
“Fares depend not just on fuel prices as there are several other expenses such as maintenance of vehicles besides the wages of drivers and conductors,” he explained. Rawalpindi Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Syed Asad Kazmi said there is no chance of reversing fare hikes. Fuel price is just one of the factors determining transport fares.
The overall cost of business has increased during the past two years and in the current the fears cannot be reversed, he said.
It may be mentioned here, on May 31, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) issued a notification increasing fares from Rs 13 to Rs 15 for a distance of four kilometres, Rs 18 to Rs 20 for eight kilometres, Rs 22 to Rs 25 for 14 kilometres, Rs 25 to Rs 30 for 22 kilometres, Rs 27 to Rs 35 for 30 kilometres and Rs 40 for over 30 kilometres. Similarly, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) has also increased the stop to stop fares from Rs 12 to Rs 15.