A large number of people from the twin cities have been trying to leave for their native towns to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, and transporters have been taking full advantage of the situation, by fleecing passengers.
All bus and wagon terminals are jam packed with passengers, as people have been leaving for their native villages to celebrate Eid. People have been travelling on buses and wagons because of the uncertain situation of trains. Passengers were seen wandering from terminal to terminal to find seats in buses and wagons.
Passengers at the bus stands at Pirwadhai, Peshawar Mor, Hamrahi Wagon and Bus Stand, Faizabad Bus and Wagon Stand, Soan Wagon and Bus Stand said that the transporters had been over charging. They said that transporters were taking full advantage of the special occasion of Eid-ul-Azha by demanding higher fares and the concerned authorities had not taken action yet.
Altaf, at the Pirwadhai Bus Stand, along with his family said that he had wanted to go to Sialkot but the transporters were demanding extra money as ‘Eid Tax’. “How am I supposed to pay the extra money for seven members of my family?” he said, “The government should arrange for special trains and buses on special occasions like Eid to provide relief to the public.”
Another female passenger waiting for a bus at the Faizabad Bus Stand said that transporters were charging full-seat fares for luggage. They were also charging full-seat tickets for children as well.
Amjad at Soan Wagon Stand said that his family was leaving for Gujranwala to celebrate Eid but the transporters were charging exorbitant fares.
An officer of the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) said that special teams had been formed to check fare violations. He said that the teams were visiting all terminals to avoid different kinds of violations.
