KARACHI, Jan 23: Several incidents of rows and scuffles between commuters and transport operators have been reported following the increase in public transport fares.

“The increase in fuel prices is so negligible that there was no need to restore the old transport fares. An increase of Rs1 or 2 in diesel prices only adds Rs60 to Rs120 to their expenses, but the arbitrary and unjustified increase in transport fares will ensure Rs500 to Rs600 to them,” said a commuter.

According to an estimate, over 2 million commuters, who have to use public transport two or three times a day, have suffered on account of the recent increase. Only on Wednesday, transporters pocketed Rs6 million.

The increase has affected students the most. They have to change several buses, minibuses and coaches to reach educational institutions and back to their homes.

The Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) in a statment on Wednesday condemned the increase. It said: “on an average every family has three to four students, and each one of them has to spend Rs15-20 daily to reach their educational institutions. This has compelled many students to avoid their classes.”

The IJT urged the governor to take stock of the institution and fix concessionary fares for public transport.

Various social welfare organizations have also appealed to the governor to intervene in the matter.—PPI