FAISALABAD, April 20: Incidents of frequent altercations between commuters and transporters are being reported owing to the refusal of transporters to slash fares in the wake of drastic reduction in POL prices.

It was observed that aged persons, students and even females had to exchange harsh arguments with wagons’ conductors of the Faisalabad Urban Transport as well as the newly-launched fleet of metro buses over the fare issue. The commuters were of the view that the government had decreased the petrol and diesel prices, but conductors claimed that the agency concerned had still not notified the fresh fares.

Meanwhile, owners of goods carrier vehicles who enhanced their fares by 10 to 15 per cent a month ago have also refused to reduce the fares.

Similarly, the rent-a-car owners who raised their fares by 25 to 30 per cent and were receiving Rs3,500 to Rs4,000 for just 100 kms for a new model vehicle are also persisting with the extra charge.

Citizens have asked the prime minister to direct the agencies concerned to formulate a comprehensive policy for fixing fair fares.