Lahore / Islamabad: The effects of another Rs 30 increase in prices of petroleum products in a single week have started coming. As a result, fares of trains and airlines are likely to increase sharply, while public transport travel to different cities has also become more expensive.
According to sources, an extraordinary increase in train fares has been proposed while airlines have also started considering an increase in air fares.
Railway sources said that the authorities were considering a 20 per cent increase in all classes of trains running across the country. Pakistan Railways buys diesel worth Rs. 20 billion annually. However, after the recent sharp rise in prices of petroleum products, the railways’ annual diesel expenditure will reach Rs. 25 billion, the entire burden of which will be borne by the passengers.
According to sources, the increase in railway fares will also apply to economy class including AC sleeper, AC standard, AC business class. The proposal sent to the authorities also includes an increase in fares for short journeys from one station to another.
On the other hand, airlines sources have hinted that an increase in fares of domestic and international airlines is under consideration after the sharp rise in petroleum prices. It should be noted that due to heavy fares, the airlines are already facing financial difficulties due to shortage of passengers, while the continuous increase in the prices of petroleum products will increase the financial expenses of national and private airlines, especially transport expenses, which will increase many times. Load will be transferred to air passengers.
Sources said that it has been proposed to increase the fares of all A to Z class of the economy including business class of the airlines. It should be noted that the financial burden of increasing fares will be more on the passengers traveling abroad.
Also read: Government raises petrol price by Rs 30 per liter
In addition, with the increase in prices of petroleum products by Rs 60 in a single week, the fares of public transport are also being increased arbitrarily, which has broken the backs of commuters traveling in the inner city.
According to sources, public transport fares have also been increased in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities. Citizens in the Twin Cities are shocked by the 150% increase in fares. Citizens say that Rs 20 has been increased for going from one stop to another, after which the minimum fare has reached Rs 50.
Meanwhile, the fares of vehicles plying from Rawalpindi to Islamabad to other cities have also been increased by 70 to 80 per cent. In this regard, in view of possible public outrage, the Rawalpindi Regional Transport Authority has approached the Punjab government for a regular increase in fares, so that government fares for public transport can be issued.
In the capital of Punjab, too, the immediate effects of rising prices of petroleum products have begun to show, as a result of which public transport fares are likely to increase further by 300%.
Public transporters have announced an increase in fares from Lahore to Rs. 150 to 300 on various routes, as a result of which the fare from Lahore to Karachi will be increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 4,300. Similarly, fares of other cities including Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Peshawar, Murree and Sahiwal will be increased.
