Commuters and citizens have protested against increase in public transport fares as the Punjab Transport Authority (PTA) has put unbearable weight on the shoulder of layman by issuing new fare list.
According to new rates, the concerned authority increased fares of local route public transport (buses, mini-buses, wagons and Suzuki pick-ups) from Rs12 to Rs15 stop-by-stop, from Rs18 to Rs20 (4.1 kilometres to 8 kilometres), from Rs22 to Rs25 (8.1 kilometres to 14 kilometres), from Rs25 to Rs30 (14.1kilometres to 22 kilometres) and from Rs27 to Rs35 (22.1 kilometres to 30 kilometres). While for travel of more than 30 kilometres, the PTA has fixed the fare at Rs40.
Meanwhile, Suzuki and Rickshaw drivers increased fare by Rs 3 and Rs 2 respectively while the current increase in transport fares triggered violence between commuters and the drivers as the commuters are reluctant to accept new fare rates.
“Public transporters were already charging high fares but the government once again totally ignored the interest of the common man and provided relief to them” said a group of commuters.
The commuters demanded of the Punjab government to take notice of the situation and to issue directive in this regard.