Transport fares fall after govt cuts fuel prices

Karachi: Public and goods transport charges in the open market have come down after the government reduced petrol and diesel prices following the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, according to a report and transport officials.

Goods transport rates have dropped by 15pc, while public transport fares have been reduced by 13pc. The stop-to-stop fare for wagons, minibuses, coasters and Qingqi rickshaws has been lowered from Rs50 to Rs40. Charges for student and working women pick-and-drop services have also been cut by Rs500 to Rs1,000. Bikea motorcycle service has reduced its fare from Rs200 to Rs150.

Residents and traders, however, said the decline did not match the earlier fare increases imposed when fuel prices rose at the start of the conflict. They said transport charges should be brought down at the same pace at which they had been raised.

The secretary of the Regional Transport Authority said a meeting of transporters had been convened to set revised fares for all routes. He said a formal notification would be issued after that process and implementation would be ensured.