The transporters have started overcharging the commuters of twin cities without any notification by the concerned. The increase in fares by the transporters has angered the passengers and a number of altercations have been reported in the last couple of days, said Amir Khan a resident of Sadiqabad.
He said the transporters have increased fares without any notification by the transport authorities. He added the frequent increase in petroleum prices was the major cause behind the increase in transport fares.
Another passenger Muhammad Atif a resident of Murree road said that fares of long routes have jumped from Rs 15 to Rs 25 while the transporters are charging Rs 20 instead of Rs 10 for short routes. Taxi drivers have also increased fares manifold on their own, he added.
The public transporters of twin cities have given the deadline to authorities to raise fares up to Rs 15 stop-to-stop and Rs 30 for long distance else they would go on wheel-jam strike. "There was no other option except to increase fare to survive our business after rise in POL prices," said a driver Muhammad Iqbal. "Now we are left only two options either to stop plying our transport or to increase the fares," he added.