I AM one of the numerous commuters who uses public transport daily from the Wah Cantonment to Rawalpindi/Islamabad to reach their offices located in the twin cities.

I witness quarrels between passengers and vehicle conductors over fare every day as there is no fare list approved by the Road Transport Authority (RTA) or any other transport-related organisation of the Punjab government.

The laws on fare regulation of public transport rule that only the government has the authority to fix fares of public transport vehicles. But the passengers using the above-mentioned route do not come under this law as transporters of the route increase the fare at their own sweet will.

With an increase in the CNG price up to four to six rupees a kilogram, these transporters raise the fare with an average of Rs5 from one stop to the next.

With such a major chunk of the public transport falling outside the provincial government’s authority to keep the fares of public transport within range of the people, the situation is getting out of control of the common man. There will be no other option for a daily-wage earner but to take to the streets or commit suicide as inflation has made life miserable for members of the poor class. These transporters are adding fuel to the fire.

The RTA must intervene and enforce a list of approved fares as a solution to these daily quarrels.

M. ARSHAD NADEEMWah Cantt