KP transporters reluctant to reduce fares

Transporters here in provincial metropolis, continuously are fleecing commuters by charging old fares, despite twice considerable cut in the prices petroleum products, as authorities have been failed to implement new fares in public transport, plying at long and local routes across the provinces.
The provincial transport authority (PTA) has again slashed fares rates up to seven percent in inter-district routes and local routes, with effect of second time major cut in prices of petroleum commodities, announced by the government from December-01. However, KP transporters were yet again reluctant to reduce fares as per new fares, violating the new fare lists, issued by the provincial transport authority.
According to survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday, noticed that all public transporters are still charging old fares from commuters, especial local routes in the provincial capital. Commuters and transporters frequently seen exchanging of hot words and arguments, and incidents of brawls have also witnessed in wake of non-reduction in transports fares on several routes.
Transporters viewed that most of their vehicles, plying on long and local routes have been converted into Compressed Natural Gas, as the CNG prices registered manifold increase over the recent past, so it could be difficult to fares rates in line with fresh decrease in petroleum commodities, by the federal government, they added.
Zeeshan Mushtaq, talking to this scribe alleged that transporters don't board them on the pretext of transport fares. He said that he was travelling from Hashtnagri to Arbab Road University, and the conductor claimed the old fare of Rs 40. When he referred to newly revised fares of PTA, the conductor asked him to sit quiet or step down from his wagon.
Another passenger Javed Ahmad, travelling from Saddar to University, also made similar allegation. He said that the conductor charged Rs 20 instead of Rs 15 and refused that fares have been reduced by the provincial transport authority.
The prime minister, Nawaz Sharif had slashed petroleum prices by Rs 9.66 per litre with effect during a mammoth public gathering in Havelian, Abbottabod last week. The new price of petrol fixed at Rs 84.53 per litre as against the previous price of 94.19 rupees. The price of Hi-Octane was reduced by 10.18 rupees a litre; kerosene Rs 4.34 a litre; High Speed Diesel Rs 7.12 a litre and Light Speed Diesel Rs 5.39 a litre. The new prices of these products would be: Hi-Octane Rs 106.27; HSD Rs 94.9 and Light Speed Diesel Rs 77.98 a litre.
Following the decision of federal government, the PTA has also cut down prices of petroleum commodities, up to seven percent in inter-district, long and local routes effect from December-01. According to new fares list of provincial transport authority, for Peshawar to Kohat, fare rate fixed at Rs 71 plying coach, and Rs 84 for bus, for Peshawar to Bannu plying coach Rs 213 and Rs 252 for bus, for Peshawar-D.I.Khan of plying coach Rs 366 and Rs 433 for bus, Peshawar-Haripur for plying coach Rs 170 and Rs 201 for bus, Peshawar-Abbottabad Rs 210 and Rs 249 for bus.
Similarly, Peshawar-Manshera for plying coach Rs 237 and Rs 280 fixed as new fares, Peshawar-Timergara for plying coach Rs 193 and Rs 228 for buses, Peshawar-Mingora for plying coach Rs 187 and Rs 222 for buses, Peshawar-Dir for plying coach Rs 273 and Rs 322 for buses, Peshawar-Chitral for plying coach Rs 545 and Rs 645 for buses. Likewise, Peshawar-Mardan new fare fixed for plying coach at Rs 63 and Rs 75 for buses, Peshawar-Malakand for plying coach Rs 129 and Rs 152 for buses.
When contacted this scribe Khan Zaman Afridi, president of public Transport Owner Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa why they are not reduce fare rates, then took a stance that most of vehicle, plying on long and local routes on compressed natural gas (CNG) from diesel and petrol. He added the official rate of CNG has been fixed at Rs 72.25 per kilogram, but it was sold at Rs 76 per kilogram. We will ready to reduce fare rates, when the government could announce reduction in prices of CNG, Afridi said.
The transporters leader said they are charging fares rates, fixed in 2010 despite fluctuation in petroleum rates they didn't changed fares. He further said the price of engine oil and vehicles other spared parts have been substantial increase, due to which they are unable to decrease fares. Similarly, he said in sky-rocketing prices of daily use commodities, and increasing expenditure, is making difficult to manage their expense on the daily-basis.