LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday approved reduction in transport fares in proportion to the decrease in prices of petroleum products.

The approval was given in a meeting which was also attended by Food Minister Bilal Yasin, MPA Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Lahore Transport Company Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hasaan, the chief secretary, the planning and development chairman, the secretaries concerned and senior officers.

The chief minister said the benefit of reduction in oil prices should directly reach the masses. He sought action against the transporters involved in overcharging. He also directed monitoring of the new fares through a committee.

The transport secretary briefed the meeting that non-AC intra-city fares had been reduced by 5.6 per cent and non-AC intercity by 7.5 per cent. Similarly, the fares of goods transport had been decreased by 8 per cent.

Moreover, a 10 per cent decrease was made in the fares of air-conditioned bus service and 5.6 per cent in some other services.

Published in Dawn, November 4th , 2014