KP transporters raise intercity fares by 20 percent after fuel price hike

PESHAWAR: Transporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have unilaterally increased intercity fares by 20 percent following the recent surge in petroleum prices.

According to Khan Zaman Afridi, president of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transport Owners Association, the decision to raise fares was made during a meeting of the association's office-bearers on Monday. Afridi stated that the fare increase applies to long-distance routes, including those to Lahore and Karachi, with an increment of Rs1,000 per passenger. He further explained that fares for vehicles operating between districts within the province remain unchanged for now, but an increase is planned in the coming days.

"We have also contacted the provincial government’s transport department, but no official fare notification has been issued so far," Afridi told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Najibullah, spokesperson for the Petroleum Dealers and Cottage Contractors Association, commented on the recent rise in petroleum prices, noting its significant impact on the transport sector. However, details of his statement were not fully reported in the available sources.

At present, the fare hike has been implemented solely by the transporters, without formal approval from provincial authorities. The move comes amid growing concerns over the burden of increased fuel costs on both transport operators and passengers in the region.