Since May 20, 2022, Pakistan has seen three major increases in fuel prices. Petrol and diesel costs have surpassed Rs. 230 per liter and Rs. 260 per liter, leading travelers in several major cities to switch to public transportation.
Around 100,000 intracity travelers in Multan, Lahore, and Rawalpindi have begun to rely on BRT, intracity train, and feeder bus services, according to a media source.
According to a senior official with the Punjab MassTransit Authority (PMA), “While observing the passengers’ ratio, we have found an addition of around 75,000 passengers daily into our intra-city transport systems – Orange Line Metro Train (Ali Town-Dera Gujran), metrobus (Shahdara-Gajjumata) and the Speedo buses plying on feeder routes in Lahore. Similarly, around 20,000 passengers have also switched to the metrobus system in Rawalpindi.”
Around 7,000 individuals in Multan have also switched to the metro bus service, according to him.
The study goes on to say that long-distance buses have increased their costs by up to 35 percent, causing commuters to switch from air-conditioned buses to non-air-conditioned buses because of the lower fares.
According to a PMA official, the government intends to significantly subsidize public transportation services in order to reduce fares. He elaborated, “We have sent a summary to the Punjab Cabinet and sought its approval for introducing a distance-based fare instead of the flat Rs. 40 per passenger. The minimum fare suggested is Rs. 20 for traveling in the Orange Line Metro Train. But the fares (Rs. 30 and Rs. 15) being charged in metro or Speedo buses would remain the same till further orders.”
There is currently no strategy in place for long-distance bus services. Transporters have asked the government to enhance subsidies so that their services can continue to operate and benefit the general people.
To read our blog on “Fuel will be significantly more expensive as a result of the petroleum levy,” click here.
