As the prices of goods and services continue to rise in the country, public transporters in the federal capital Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi are anxious to get an increase in transport fares too. Transporters in the said cities have threatened to go on strike should the government fail to announce, by next week (today), an increase in fares by up to 8 rupees per stop and likewise for long distance travels.
The demand of public transporters is based on the loss that they claim they are suffering due to the high prices of diesel in the country. Currently, a passenger in public transport pays 10 rupees per stop and around 25 rupees for long distance travel. The public is certainly going to scowl over a rise in fares but the authorities seem not to be happy with the demand in raising fares as well. They think that transporters are already fleecing commuters and a further increase in fares is not justified.
Also relevant is the fact that the public transport system in and between the cities is not very satisfactory. Employees and students who use public transport complain of waiting for a long time in order to get a seat in a vehicle. The same situation is prevalent in Peshawar and other big cities where, despite a large number of public transport vehicles, people have to wait long in order to get a chance in a vehicle. Recently, students in Islamabad/Rawalpindi are reported to have demanded improvement in the public transport system.
