Transporters in the local area have increased their fares by up to 20 percent after a recent rise in fuel prices. This increase comes despite the absence of any official notification from the district administration regarding fare adjustments. The fare hike applies to routes from Karachi to Hyderabad, Larkana, and Sukkur, as well as within the city.
On the same day, the federal government raised the price of petrol by Rs19.95 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs19.90 per litre for the next fortnightly review. The new petrol price now stands at Rs272.95 per litre, and high-speed diesel costs Rs273.40 per litre. According to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, these price increases were necessary due to commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the imposition of the petroleum development levy (PDL) on the rates.
The decision to increase fuel prices was made following consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The revised prices took immediate effect as the government could not announce the fortnightly adjustments in petroleum product prices on Monday, extending the discussions into the early hours of Tuesday.
However, in response to the fuel price hike, local transporters have taken matters into their own hands and raised fares without seeking approval from the authorities. As a result, passengers now face higher transportation costs without any corresponding increase in official fare rates.
This unilateral fare increase by the transporters could have significant implications for commuters and may cause financial burdens on those who heavily rely on public transportation. The absence of government oversight and control over fare adjustments allows transporters to raise prices at their discretion, potentially impacting the accessibility of transportation for many citizens.
Read more: Govt Increases Price of Petrol by Rs. 19.95 Per Liter
The authorities need to address this situation promptly to ensure fair and reasonable transportation costs for the public. Clear guidelines and regulations must be put in place to prevent transporters from taking advantage of fuel price fluctuations and arbitrarily increasing fares. By doing so, the government can protect citizens from the impact of rising fuel prices and maintain affordable public transportation services for all.
