Commuters across Pakistan face a massive financial blow. Public transport operators just jacked up intercity fares by a staggering 65%. This sudden move follows the recent spike in petroleum prices. Consequently, traveling between major cities now costs between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 2,500 more per seat.
Lahore serves as the primary hub for these drastic increases. For instance, a trip from Lahore to Islamabad now costs Rs. 4,000. Previously, passengers paid Rs. 3,000. Similarly, the fare to Peshawar jumped from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 4,600.
Travelers heading to Sindh are facing the hardest hit. The ticket price from Lahore to Karachi soared from Rs. 8,600 to a whopping Rs. 12,000. Furthermore, the fare to Hyderabad increased by nearly Rs. 4,000.
The following table breaks down the updated fare structure from Lahore:
| Destination (from Lahore) | New Fare (Rs) | Previous Fare (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 13,000 | 9,200 |
| Karachi | 12,000 | 8,600 |
| Peshawar | 4,600 | 3,500 |
| Murree | 4,500 | 3,300 |
| Islamabad | 4,000 | 3,000 |
| Multan | 3,700 | Not specified |
| Sargodha | 2,550 | 1,550 |
| Faisalabad | 2,350 | 1,350 |
Transport operators defend these aggressive hikes in public transport fares. They cite two main reasons:
- Soaring fuel costs.
- Rising prices of spare parts.
Without these adjustments, operators claim that running vehicles is no longer sustainable.
Moreover, they issued a stern warning. They might halt transport services entirely if they cannot maintain these rates. Therefore, travelers must brace for these permanent changes to their travel budgets.
