LAHORE: Punjab’s public transport owners have refused to resume operations in Punjab until the provincial government takes back the decision to offer a 20 percent reduction in fares.
Addressing a press conference today (Sunday), All Pakistan Public Transport Owners Federation (APPTOF) Chairperson Asmatullah Niazi said that the group was in touch with organisations across Pakistan and that public transport in Punjab would not resume tomorrow (Monday).
He said, “The government of Punjab has not provided us with written SOPs yet,” adding that until the representatives did not formulate the guidelines, they would not reopen the public transport services.
The chairman of the federation also complained of the Punjab government’s earlier announcement of a reduction in fares by 20% percent.
He also said, “There’s a 20 percent cut in fares and now 50 percent fewer customers. We have to pay toll taxes, traffic challans, bus stand charges, and various other expenses as well. We cannot run public transport operations with a 90% deficit.”
Hafiz Jahangir, a spokesperson for the transporters, said they would keep operations suspended until they were taken into confidence by the government. He further said that the transporters were facing severe financial constraints.
ADVERTISEMENT
