The troubles of the common people in the neighboring country Pakistan, which is struggling with economic crisis and severe inflation, are not showing signs of diminishing. After the recent surge in crude oil prices in the global market, a huge increase in the prices of petroleum products is once again expected. This oil crisis has now directly affected the everyday life of the common people. Due to cost of fuel, there has been a record-breaking increase in public transport fares in Pakistan.
According to this news quoting the report of The Express Tribune, the prices of local buses and rickshaws to long distance journeys and freight charges have started skyrocketing. According to 'The Express Tribune' report, public transport fares have increased in Pakistan after another major hike in petrol prices; Transport operators have cited higher fuel costs for the increased rates.
According to Pakistani media, the minimum fare from one stop to another has been fixed at PKR 50, while the cost of carrying luggage has also increased rapidly. The freight charges for loaded trailers from Karachi to Peshawar have increased to PKR 700,000. This move has increased concerns among traders about new inflationary pressure. In Rawalpindi, local transport operators have increased fares per passenger by PKR 20, while services running in nearby areas have increased fares by PKR 30 per passenger. Apart from this, transporters have started charging extra for the luggage of passengers.
Operators have started charging fares from children aged eight and above, while long distance bus services have increased ticket prices by between PKR 100 and PKR 250 per passenger, The Express Tribune reported. Meanwhile, the fare for AC coach services between Rawalpindi and Murree has been increased to PKR 700. According to Pakistani media reports, local Chingchi rickshaws, bike taxis and motorcycles have also increased their fares, while loader rickshaws have increased their loading charges by PKR 500.
These changes follow the recent increase in petrol prices, which has increased the cost burden on passengers and businesses amid inflationary pressure in the country. These developments come after reports that petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan are likely to increase due to the recent rise in crude oil prices in the global market. ARY News quoted sources as saying that petrol prices were expected to increase by PKR 13, while high-speed diesel rates were expected to increase by PKR 14.
