Transporters Increase Ticket Prices

Public transport fares in Rawalpindi have surged across all urban, suburban, and intercity routes in response to a recent sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices. Commuters on local and twin-city routes between Rawalpindi and Islamabad are now paying Rs20 to Rs30 more per trip, while those traveling long distances are facing fare increases of Rs40 to Rs50 per passenger.

In line with road transport, Pakistan Railways has also announced an increase in train ticket prices. The sudden fare hikes have triggered friction between commuters and transport operators in both cities.

Qingqi rickshaws have added Rs10 to each ride, and motorbike ride-hailing services such as Bykea have raised their fares from Rs100 to Rs130 per trip. Public vehicles, including Suzuki vans and Bykea services operating on routes like Fawara Chowk to Bhara Kahu, Rawat, Adiala Road, Pirwadhai, Sihala, Golra Sharif, and Chaklala Airport, have also raised their fares by Rs 20.

Additional increases of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per person have been reported on routes such as Saddar to Adiala Jail, Taxila, Rawat, Kahuta, and Kutchery.

Many passengers have voiced frustration, arguing that transporters are quick to increase fares when fuel prices rise, but do not reduce them when costs decline. “They charged an extra Rs10 from Raja Bazaar to Morgah, and there’s still no official notification of the fare hike,” said commuter Asghar Ali.

Asif Khan, Vice President of the Transport Federation, defended the decision. “When fuel prices go up, everything becomes more expensive—maintenance, tires, spare parts. We’re already bearing huge costs. Toll fees, traffic fines, and even unofficial expenses have doubled or tripled. We can’t keep operating at a loss,” he said.

Adding to the disruption, many fuel stations in the city halted petrol and diesel sales late Sunday night around 11 p.m., anticipating the official price revision. Most pumps limited sales to 1–2 litres per customer, causing long queues of vehicles. Sales resumed as normal once the revised prices were officially announced.