After the increase in petroleum product prices, public transport operators have also raised fares, following goods transporters.
Public transporters have increased fares by between Rs300 and Rs600. The fare from Lahore to Islamabad has been raised from Rs2,600 to Rs3,000, while the fare from Lahore to Peshawar has increased from Rs2,890 to Rs3,500.
The fare from Lahore to Sargodha has gone up from Rs1,300 to Rs1,550, while the fare from Lahore to Faisalabad has been raised from Rs1,200 to Rs1,350. The Lahore to Karachi fare has increased from Rs8,000 to Rs8,600.
Similarly, the fare from Lahore to Hyderabad has risen from Rs8,650 to Rs9,200, while the Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan fare has been increased from Rs4,000 to Rs4,250. The fare from Lahore to Murree has gone up from Rs2,790 to Rs3,300.
Passengers at Lahore’s Lorry Adda said that in this time of rising inflation, travelling by public transport has become increasingly difficult. They said even attending family events or emergencies has become a major challenge, adding that poor families must choose between feeding their children and paying for travel.
Transporters, however, argue that along with the increase in petroleum prices, spare parts have also become more expensive. They say if fares are not raised, they may be forced to stop operating their vehicles.
Citizens have urged the government to immediately reduce petrol prices, warning that otherwise the country could face another wave of inflation.
