Transporters are fleecing the commuters for different destinations particularly on monopoly routes and they were charging 25 to 35 percent excess fare than recommended and fixed by the government but the authorities have turned a blind eye to the situation.
Similarly owners of air-conditioned coaches are also overcharging the people travelling on different inter-city routes. A survey conducted by this correspondent, salaried class, industrial workers and government employees are hard pressed due to inflated fare because they have to travel daily.
No monitoring system has been introduced to check fares on inter-city routes since November 2000. The fare for non air-conditioned buses plying different inter-city routes has been fixed at 0.45 paisa per km per passenger, but they are charging 0.60 per km and there no check or monitoring policy is devised for buses and coaches.
Sources in the Transport Department said that the fare for the non air-conditioned buses was fixed last time in 2005 but secretary Regional Transport Authority did not issue the fare-table for different destinations however they are collecting their "monthly" regularly.
There was no check on the over-loading, over crowding, travelling on the roof, loading of goods with passengers. It is a normal practice for transporters to overcharge, especially on Eids when people leave Lahore for their hometowns. Transporters also raise the fares in the summer season when people prefer to travel by air-conditioned buses.
It is learnt that transporters were charging Rs 225 to Rs 500 for Lahore from Multan, Rs 375 to Rs 550 for Islamabad from Multan, Rs 150 to Rs 230 for Faisalabad, Rs 60 to 110 for Bahawalpur and Rs 140 to Rs 210 for Lahore to Sialkot.
Sammi Daewoo Express Bus Service charges Rs 450 for Lahore to Islamabad for ordinary buses, while, Rs 530 is charged for VIP buses. On the Multan-Lahore route, Rs 400 for ordinary and Rs 500 for VIP buses are being charged. The fare for the Bahawalpur-Lahore route is Rs 470.
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