December 27, 2001	Thursday	Shawwal 11, 1422

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KOHAT, Dec 26: Despite local administration’s clear orders to transporters to cut fares on intra-city and other long routes after decrease in petroleum prices, no relief has been passed on to the general public.

Surprisingly, the new fare between Kohat and Peshawar, a 60km route, is Rs27, whereas the fare between Peshawar and Mardan having a distance of 65km is Rs16.

Earlier, the fares were for the same routes were Rs30 and Rs18, respectively.

The officials concerned when asked to comment on the situation said that in Kohat the transport business was run by a single family, which dictates its terms viz a viz fares. This family operates around 400 coasters on long routes and due to their hold and monopoly the administration often had to succumb to their demands.

They complained that people also didn’t cooperate with the administration in forcing the transporters to cut down fares.

Commuters told Dawn that whenever they raised the issue with conductor or driver, they were simply asked to leave the vehicle which they could not afford as all the transport business was in the hands of one family. Even if they do disembark in protest and try to take another vehicle the drivers refuse to take them on the plea that the manager would be annoyed if they do so.

When a passenger is travelling along with his family, it would be impossible for him to haggle over the fare and this weak point is exploited by the transporters.

Moreover, the transporters are often resorted to overloading. Being hand in glove with traffic police, the transporters carry 19 passengers in a 15-seat coach, commuters said.

Several complaints have been lodged by the people against the transporter for charging higher fares and overloading, however, no action has so far been taken by the authorities concerned.

On the other hand, the transporters were of the view that if they cut fares they would be losing more than Rs60,000 per day.

It is surprising to note that for the last 20 years or so the administration had been awarding the bus stand contract to a particular family, not allowing other parties to enter the business.