The CNG-fitted public transport vehicles plying on various routes in Multan city and on inter-city routes like Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Layyah, Alipur, Jatoi, Seetpur, Kotadu, Taunsa Sharif, Dera Ismail Khan, Mian Wali, Bhakkar, Jhang, Sargodha are charging passengers according to rates of diesel and petrol, instead of CNG.
Passengers while talking to this scribe here on Sunday strongly protested against it and demanded of the Secretary Transport Authority of Punjab to take immediate notice of the issue. They pointed out that most of the vehicles plying on different routes use CNG, while they have increased fares prior to increase in the prices of diesel and petrol. They also demanded that separate fare lists should be issued for CNG vehicles and diesel and petrol vehicles and strict action should be taken against those transporters exploiting passengers.
They regretted that the administration is taking no action despite having knowledge that people are being looted and alleged that the administration could not take any action due to fears of strike and demonstrations.
When Transport Association President Chaudhry Shahbaz was contacted for the comments, he told that 1500 vehicles are plying on different routes, however 10 percent vehicles among them have CNG, while most of the vehicles use diesel and petrol.
However, he also admitted that more than 40 percent vehicles of other routes use CNG, adding that presently cost of diesel and that of CNG are the same. He said the secretary transport authority should devise any formula for future.