Public Transport Fare Hike Hits Commuters Hard in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi commuters are feeling the financial strain after a significant increase in public transport fares, triggered by recent hikes in petrol and diesel prices. The fare revisions apply across the board, including urban, suburban, and intercity routes, impacting thousands of daily passengers who travel between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

For local travelers, fares have increased by Rs20 to Rs30 per trip, particularly on high-traffic routes within the twin cities. Longer distance passengers are seeing fare hikes of Rs40 to Rs50, adding up significantly over multiple commutes per week.

The rise has affected almost all forms of public and para-transit transport. Qingqi rickshaws now cost Rs10 more per ride, while bike-hailing services like Bykea have raised their base fare from Rs100 to Rs130. Suzuki vans and Bykea rides covering routes such as Fawara Chowk to Bhara Kahu, Rawat, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Sihala, and Chaklala Airport are also charging Rs20 more per commuter.

Moreover, Pakistan Railways has also adjusted its ticket prices upward, further amplifying the burden on passengers already affected by inflation.

Public reaction has been mixed but largely negative. Many passengers have expressed frustration over the inconsistency of fare regulation. “They raised fares by Rs10 from Raja Bazaar to Morgah, and there’s no official fare notice,” said Asghar Ali, a local commuter. Others echoed similar sentiments, accusing operators of exploiting the fuel price situation.

Asif Khan, Vice President of the Transport Federation, defended the move. “With fuel, maintenance, tolls, and traffic fines all going up, our operational costs have doubled or tripled. We’re left with no choice,” he stated.

While fare hikes may seem inevitable given the economic pressures, commuters are urging authorities to introduce a transparent, standardized system for transport pricing to ensure fairness and accountability.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on currently available data and public statements. Fare adjustments are subject to change following official notifications or policy revisions by relevant authorities.

Dev