Transport fares up in Multan

In the wake of hike in petroleum prices, transporters have increased fares at inter-city routes across the country by 15 percent. This 15 percent rise will also be applicable to goods transportation. The fare for Muzaffargarh has been increased to rupees 40, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, Mailsi, Rangpur, Kotadu Rs 100, Rs 150 for Layyah, Chowk Azam, Jatoi, Alipur, Kherpur Sadat. The minimum fare has been set as Rs 20.
General Secretary of All Pakistan Transport Owners` Federation, Chaudhry Shahbaz said "We are already facing big losses and now federal government has announced eight to 13 percent hike in the prices of petroleum products", adding recent spike in POL prices has compelled them to raise fares. He admitted that middle-class and poor people who are using public transport would suffer, but said, "We are also among sufferers."
Shahbaz said government has totally neglected the transport sector and is responsible for the miseries of the people. "CNG is not available in two days a week and POL prices are going up day by day resulting in loss of millions of rupees to bus and wagon owners," he said adding, a few companies are minting money in the business of petroleum and gas.
Moreover, transport owners, through a statement said the decision was taken following the surge in the petroleum prices and unavailability of CNG and they were compelled to do that. They rejected the criticism regarding increase in fares by stating that they were already facing losses due to availability of spare parts at high rates and are over-burdened by government taxes and undue challans. All Pakistan Goods Transport Owners Federation spokesman said that the decision to raise fares on goods transportation was taken after consulting all provincial bodies.
Meanwhile, Punjab Goods Transporters Association, South Punjab chapter in a statement have announced to hold protest demonstrations against the hike in diesel prices in Multan, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Gujranwala and Faisalabad. It said that in the first week, they would start a campaign against the hike in diesel prices and for increasing number of weight station tool plazas at National Highways. While in the second week, in Punjab convention, the association would give a call for wheel-jam strike, the statement added.
The decision of surge in fares will hit hard millions of daily commuters across the country. Taking advantage of the situation, rickshaw and taxi-owners associations of the city have also decided to raise the fares.