KARACHI, Feb 28: The Sindh government on Friday announced an increase in public transport fares.

On all urban routes, an increase of Rs 1 has been made in minibuses, buses and coaches while students would continuously be charged 50 per cent of the normal fare.

On inter-city routes, the buses would be charging paisas 42 per km as against the previous fare of paisas 37 per kilometre.

The transport department said the increase in the fares had been made in view of revision of petroleum prices by the Oil Companies Advisory Committee.

The increase in the fare is subject to conditions that the transporters shall ensure to replace the old smoke-emitting vehicles and make their vehicles environment-friendly, avoid over-loading of passengers and whenever the prices of POL are lowered, there will be proportionate reduction in the fare rates.

A notification issued by the Sindh transport department said the minimum fare of Rs3 will continue to be charged by the inter-city stage carriage vehicles for any intermediary stop lying between the stop.

It maintained that the decision to revise the fares was taken consequent upon revision of POL prices on Feb 16, and whereas it has been represented to the Sindh government that the fare of public transport (stage/contract carriage) be revised to meet the increase in POL and operational cost of public transport.

It said that after consideration of relevant factors, like the capital and operational cost of transport, cost of living, conditions of the roads and traffic, it is expedient to refix/review the fare of public transport.

It said keeping in view the decision taken in the meeting with the transporters held on Feb 24, and in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section-(II) of Section-45 of the Provincial motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965, and in suppression of all previous notifications issued in this behalf, it has been decided to revise the fares.

Two major groups of transport operators — Karachi Transport Ittehad and National Transport Ittehad — had always objected to the fortnight revision by the oil companies advisory committee. The transporters are of the view that the petroleum prices be fixed for at least six months or the committee be disbanded and the government should regulate the prices.

The transporters had warned the government that they would go on a strike for an indefinite period if their grievances were not entertained.

KTI chief Irshad Bokhari said the fortnight fluctuation in petroleum prices had made it difficult for transporters to continue their business.

He said most of the time, the advisory committee unilaterally increased the POL prices. He said: “We demanded Rs2 per stage but we were ready for an increase of Rs one in the extreme interest of the people.”

“Our contention is to disband the committee and the government should take over the affairs of oil prices as in the past. Today the government has revised the fares and the committee has once again increased the POL prices the same day. How long we can demand an increase in the fares. It is injustice to the transporters and the people as well”, Mr Bokhari added.

He said that the fortnight fluctuation in POL prices was implemented only in Pakistan and it was not being practised in any part of the world. He termed this system a curse for transporters and the people.