LAHORE - The frequent increase in prices of fuel has led to unilateral increase in transport fares in the city. The buses of private companies, mini-buses and wagons plying on the city routes are charging unannounced transport fares of their choice. For this purpose, the transporters display fake fare charts attributed to be issued by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) responsible to control the urban transport routes. The display of fare chart is imperative as the commuters ask for the fare charts while paying the fare. This has led to crack down of police on the wagons and mini-buses on one hand and the scuffles of commuters with conductors and drivers on the other. Each police station located at the Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, GT Road and other busy roads in the city have registered dozens of cases against the owners of mini-buses and wagons for displaying fake fare charts of RTA at their vehicles. Most cases were registered at Nawankot and Millat Road Police station on Multan Road. The mini-buses and wagons owners, however, alleged that the RTA did not issue them the fare chart regarding the fare increase effected from the last week of March. They also blame for 'adda' managers who charge 'adda' fee from the wagons and mini-buses for issuing fare charts which the police say are fake. It is gimmick of 'adda' manipulators and not the drivers and conductors who charge for the services they provide to the transporters. The recent increase in fuel prices including petrol and diesel have led to the increase in stop to stop fare from Rs 6 to Rs 7 or Rs 8 and even Rs 10 minimum fare. However, the reputable transport companies are hesitant to increase fare without approval of the RTA which is a time consuming process. As a result a number of companies have winded up their business. They include Baraka, Monolite, Sial Express and others. A number of other companies have reduced their buses and have reduced their staff. At the same the people prefer to travel on foot for a short distance instead of using public transport. A family of five to six persons have to pay Rs 50 or more for a stop to stop distance of about one or two furlong which they now try to scale on foot. The increase in prices of commodities and food items have added to their misery and they try to save money on unnecessary journey also. As a result there is low turn up of passengers on buses and wagons rendering the transporters suffer in loss.