ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: With Eid just round the corner, the transport services, barring few exceptions, are overcharging the passengers bound for different destinations to celebrate the event with their near and dear ones, it was learnt during a visit to different bus stations in Rawalpindi.

The increase is not an unusual phenomenon, as it is a common practice with the transporters to overcharge the passengers. On any festive occasion specially Eid, when people are desperate to reach their home, the fares go skyward.

Afridi Coach Adda at Pirwadhai Mor has 22 stands with 2,000 flying coaches and a few coasters for far-flung areas of Punjab, Kashmir and NWFP. Now it is no more possible for any passenger to reach his home at normal fare.

Earlier, fare for Mardan was Rs60, but now the passengers have to pay Rs80. Fare for Mianwali has also increased from Rs90 to Rs130. Fare at Karak Stand is Rs150 instead of Rs100. A Munshi at a stand revealed that the drivers exploit the passengers because everyone is in a hurry to celebrate Eid in his home town.

When contacted, the manager of the bus station Faqir Mohammad said: “Certainly we keep a check on the drivers, but they outwit us by creating shortage of bus stations meaning that if we press them too hard, they quit our bus station and join the other one.” However, the New Khan bus service with its station adjacent to the main Lorry Adda at Pirwadhai Adda, has not increased the fares.

Shandar Awami Coach, Pakistan Coach, Saadat Coach etc, the famous companies running AC coaches between Rawalpindi and Karachi, also have not increased the fares. Under a unanimous agreement, we are bound to avoid making an increase in fares, said Aslam Niazi of Shandar Coach.

The main bus station at Pirwadhai is no exception to the spiralling transport fares. Here every passenger has to pay at the will of the drivers.

The coaches plying for Gilgit, Shakar Garh and Peshawar take the passengers to their destinations at modest fares. Kohistan bus service charges Rs 30 (120-130) extra for Faisalabad. Shalimar coach requires its passengers to pay extra Rs 20 (250- 270) for Multan. The GTS Narco has also increased fare from Rs80 to Rs95.

Here the buses were packed and some passengers were even sitting on the rooftops despite the freezing cold. Whether you occupy a seat inside the bus or sit on the rooftop, you have to pay the same fare.

A diesel mechanic justifying increase in the fares by the drivers said: “Believe me; what these poor drivers earn, they spend it at our workshops. Sometimes, they have to borrow money from us to buy spare parts.” The drivers were of the view that they were forced to overcharge the passengers because the police had also increased their “monthly”.

The increase in transport fares has scuttled the plans of many families to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones back home. They have appealed to the government to take action against those drivers indulging in overcharging.—Junaid Bahadur