Masses at mercy of transporters

LAHORE - The hike in transport fares, which transporters do whenever they desire, has started hurting the already dejected and helpless Lahorites. One reason why the transporters get away with every increase is the engagement of some influential politicians in the transport business.

It is to be noted that the government had made a further increase of Rs 2 in public transport fares on Thursday last. Commuters were forced to pay a fare of Rs 12 stop-to-stop while Rs 22 for long-distance travel.

It merits mentioning here that before Feb 2008 elections the minimum fare on buses and wagons was Rs 6, which has now been escalated to Rs 12, which means exactly 100 per cent rise in just six months. On the other hand oil rates have not climbed as much as these were before Feb. In Feb the petrol price was standing around Rs 60 per litre and reached near Rs 87, an increase not more than 50 per cent.