Petrol cut leaves transport fares and motorcycle relief largely unchanged

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s reduction in petrol prices has been implemented, but the relief promised to the public, particularly motorcycle riders, has yet to translate into broad practical benefit.

According to the reported details, diesel prices remain unchanged, and that has prevented any reduction in fares for passenger and goods transport. Since most public transport vehicles operate on diesel, commuters have not seen any meaningful decrease in travel costs, with stop-to-stop fares reportedly reaching Rs60.

The impact has also been felt in the movement of essential commodities. Goods transport operators have reportedly raised freight charges by 60 to 65 per cent, increasing the cost of carrying food items and other daily-use goods. In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, flour dealers have fixed transport charges at Rs20 per 15-kilogramme bag for deliveries to grocery stores, tandoors and hotels. The carriage charge for a sack of flour or maida has been set at Rs80.

Traders, shopkeepers and citizens have largely dismissed the petrol price reduction, calling it a drop in the ocean. At petrol pumps, several motorists voiced anger and alleged that prices had first been raised sharply to test public tolerance before being partially reduced.

The issue emerged after widespread public reaction to the federal government’s decision to set petrol at Rs458 per litre. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later took notice and cut the price by Rs80 per litre, bringing it down to Rs378. Petrol stations have since begun charging the revised rate, but dissatisfaction among consumers has continued.

The government had also announced Rs100 relief for motorcycle riders, but that measure has drawn criticism as well. Citizens say the standard operating procedures required to obtain the concession are too complicated for ordinary riders to complete in practice.

Nasir Abbasi, a Bykea motorcycle rider, said the SOPs linked to the Rs100 subsidy were so impractical that the concession period could end before applicants were able to meet the requirements.

The continued high price of diesel has further reinforced public frustration, as it has kept transport costs elevated despite the reduction in petrol rates.

Separately, Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan, president of the District Bar Association, announced that he would challenge the price increase before the Rawalpindi Bench of the High Court.