The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA), a subsidiary of the Transport and Masstransit Department, is finalizing a proposal to increase fares for the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train, Lahore Metro Bus (Green Line), and all feeder bus routes, officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to sources, a working paper outlining the fare hike will be presented at the upcoming meeting of the authority. The decision follows rising operational and maintenance costs that have placed heavy pressure on the provincial transport budget.
The proposed plan recommends raising the Metro Bus fare from Rs. 30 to Rs. 40, the Orange Line Metro Train fare from Rs. 45 to Rs. 50, and an increase of Rs. 5 for feeder and Speedo bus routes. Once approved by the PMA board, the summary will be forwarded to the chief minister through the Transport Department for final approval.
Officials noted that the Punjab government currently provides an annual subsidy of Rs. 21 billion to sustain mass transit operations in Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, and Multan.
Fare collection contributes only 24 percent of operational and maintenance costs, while the government covers more than 75 percent of expenditures. In previous years, fare revenue made up about 32 percent of total costs, but the share has fallen due to higher energy and maintenance expenses.
Via: Dawn News