ISLAMABAD: Public transport plying on route from Wah Cantt to Rawalpindi has increased fares without any government notification.

Taking plea of increase in rates of CNG, these transporters have started fleecing commuters on their own. A large number of people commute from Wah Cantt to Rawalpindi and Islamabad on public transport and the unannounced increase in fares will add to their woes.

'The fare from Wah Cantt to Pirwadhai was previously Rs40 which has now been increased to Rs45 adding an extra burden on our pockets,' said Asad Ali who works at a shop in Saddar.

He complained that on the days of CNG loadshedding these transporters charge Rs50 to Rs60 per passenger under the excuse that they run their vehicle on petrol.

'These vans do not have any route permit. But, they ply on this route and charge commuters of their free will', said Raheem Khan a commuter on this route.

Another passenger Nasir Mahmood said transporters are working as 'mafia'. They increase fares when diesel or CNG prices are raised and the authorities concerned behave like silent spectators.

In case a complaint is lodged with Islamabad Traffic Police they say these vans travel only a short distance within Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and are least bothered, claimed another passenger.

Public Relations Officer National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) Aftab Aslam expressed concern on these violations but said action could only be taken if a complaint is lodged. He passed the buck on to Regional Transport Authority for fixing fares and route allocation.

Our officials at Sangjani toll plaza are only responsible for checking overloading in vans, he claimed. APP