Fuel Price Hike Triggers Increase in Transport Fares Across Lahore
Shahzad Raza:
Islamabad: The latest increase in petroleum product prices has pushed up public transport and freight charges across Lahore, adding to the financial strain on consumers already grappling with persistent inflation.
Following the rise in fuel costs, transport operators have increased passenger fares by up to 10 percent, citing higher operating expenses. The fare hike has also affected the goods transport sector, raising concerns that the cost of transporting commodities will lead to another increase in the prices of essential goods.
Commuters expressed concern over the additional financial burden and urged the government to introduce measures to offset the impact of rising fuel prices on daily living expenses.
Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Rana Mohsin said the revised minimum fares were approved after consultations with transport operators. He warned that strict action would be taken against transporters found charging passengers more than the officially notified fares.
The revised fare schedule has increased ticket prices for routes from Lahore to various cities by Rs80 to Rs1,000, depending on the destination. Meanwhile, transport operators criticised the government’s frequent revisions to the petroleum pricing mechanism, arguing that repeated changes make it difficult to manage operational costs and maintain stable fare structures.
