Punjab Rejects 37% Fare Hike Proposal

The government of Punjab has rejected a proposal by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to increase public transport fares by up to 37 percent, directing authorities to limit the increase to 25 percent instead.

The decision came after the RTA in several districts, including Rawalpindi, proposed a 25 to 37 percent hike in fares for private public transport and goods carriers earlier this month.

However, the Government of Pakistan later announced a Rs80 reduction in petroleum prices, prompting the provincial government to revise the proposed fare increase.

New fare limits announced

According to the official notification, the fare for diesel-based public transport (AC and non-AC) must not exceed a maximum increase of 25 percent, while petrol-based public service vehicles will be allowed a maximum increase of 10 percent.

Authorities clarified that these percentages represent upper limits only and should not be treated as an automatic increase across all routes or vehicle categories.

Strict action against overcharging

Officials warned transport operators that charging fares beyond the approved limits will lead to strict legal action. Any fare charts displaying higher increases must be revised immediately.

Transporters have also been directed to display updated fare tables at bus stands and booking counters and present them to enforcement staff when requested.

Monitoring underway

Assistant commissioners, traffic police, and enforcement teams have been tasked with monitoring compliance across districts.

RTA Secretary Syed Asad Shirazi confirmed that the revised fares have been implemented in Rawalpindi and that transport operators are not allowed to charge passengers beyond the approved limits.

He added that the provincial government has already made Metro Bus and electric bus services free for the entire month, while daily monitoring of transport operations is underway and reports are being submitted to authorities in Lahore.