APTOF demands relaxation in taxes, other charges

All Pakistan Transport Owners Federation (APTOF) has asked the federal and provincial governments to announce relaxation in taxes and other charges imposed on transport sector to save the sector from unemployment.
The federation is demanding to reduce toll taxes, and exempt from token tax for one year, while also consider reduction in upcoming token taxes.
Provincial governments banned all kinds of inter-city bus services since March 23 but lifted the ban conditionally ahead of Eid.
Transporters were directed that they should implement SOPs to prevent Covid-19.
Under the new SOPs, the government allowed one passenger per seat for buses running on GT Road after a 20 percent fare discount, and allowed one passenger per two seats for buses running on the motorway without a fare discount.
The APTOF president Waseem Khokhar told Business Recorder that the govt should prepare the SOPs in consultation with transporters and unless their concerns were addressed, they would not resume their services.
He said, "Almost 70 percent of workers in the transport sector have lost their jobs as even during Eid people prefer to stay away from traveling due to Covid-19," adding majority of transporters also kept their transport off the road as government's conditions were unacceptable for them.
He said, "We cannot operate at loss," adding that if there would be a 50 percent reduction in passengers, then full fare should be charged. He said it was impossible to implement the SOPs laid down by the government.
He said transporters would not make their services operational under current conditions, and the government should form new SOPs.
"We are ready to reduce the fares but the government should negotiate with us and formulate new SOPs," he said, adding that it was not viable to run public transport with 50 percent reduction in passengers and reduced fares.
The public at large was distressed over travel after the resumption of services, to their hometowns for Eid. Majority of government employees could not return due to shortage of public transport and high fares, it has been learnt.
Provincial governments decided to resume inter-city bus operations to cope with the transportation needs of the general public with strict adherence to the approved SOPs that include online ticketing, contact tracing and reduced transport fares to trickle down benefits of low fuel prices to passengers.
The SOPs issued require maintaining social distance of three feet, while boarding buses, disinfection of buses after completion of every trip, availability of hand sanitizer at terminals, and within vehicles.
Moreover, any person having fever or frequent coughing would not be allowed to board, whereas other passengers would be required to wear masks and gloves along with temperature checking.
Baggage has been restricted to the minimum and adjacent seat of elderly passengers (above 65 years) is to be kept vacant.
Bus companies are required to manage crowds at terminals by deploying additional staff and marking positions, disinfection of waiting areas and allied facilities, frequent disinfection of terminals/addas and bays, and to ensure availability of soaps/sanitizers in public toilets.
In case a passenger tests positive for coronavirus subsequent to travel, the government can now track passenger's travel history and test all passengers that may have been at risk of transmission.
Currently, online ticketing facilities for all major D-Class luxury buses are available through web. Online ticketing minimizes cash handling and physical interactions at terminals, thereby reducing passengers' risk of exposure to the virus.
Public transporters are partially following SOPs issued by the government after easing the lockdown restrictions, revealed an anecdotal survey conducted by Business Recorder.
The transporters are also overcharging the commuters returning the federal capital and Rawalpindi after Eidul Fitr vacations.
During visit to different bus stations in the twin cities, it was observed that most of the passengers were not wearing masks. When asked about not wearing the mask, they replied that drivers were not following the social distancing SOPs as four people were allowed on a seat.
"There was no distance among the passengers, so what is the benefit of masks," passengers said.
Passengers as well as drivers though admitted that resuming transport without adhering to SOPs would cause the spread of Covid-19.
Drivers said it was not possible to follow the SOPs in seating as it would be a total loss. How can I cover fuel cost and give to the vehicle owner as well if I follow seating SOPs, a driver added.
In a situation where the government wants us to run buses with 50 percent passenger occupancy and discount in fares, we are unable to run buses, another driver added.
Talking to Business Recorder, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP) Muhammad Ali Khokar said SOPs were issued by the Motorway Police, which must be observed during traveling.
He said the respective provincial governments were to ensure that all the issued SOPs were followed.
The SOPs demand that the transport vehicles must be at 50 percent of their capacity and adequate distance was to be maintained among the passengers.
Disinfection gates are to be installed at transport terminals and all the passengers must pass through them prior entering their vehicle.
Transporters and provincial governments are directed to maintain a record of disinfections carried out on each vehicle at regular intervals.
In addition, the Motorway Police has instructed relevant officials to issue certificates to vehicles that pass all the health and safety examinations before they are allowed to travel on road. However, it was observed that SOPs were not being followed.