Electric bus fares rise by 60% following fare hike of PBS Red Line in Karachi

The Sindh government has increased electric bus fares after the approval of a fare hike of up to 60% for the People’s Bus Service (PBS) on the Red Line in Karachi.

This authorization was granted to the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), the federal entity responsible for operating and maintaining the PBS, citing rising operational costs due to route extensions.

According to an official announcement, fares across various routes have been raised by 20% to 60%, with the new rates now displayed on the buses. These revised fares took effect on February 1, 2025, adding financial pressure on daily commuters who rely on the service to travel to offices, schools, and other destinations.

After the implementation of the increased fares, the EV buses are charging a minimum fare of Rs80 for nearby places and Rs120 for longer distances, as shown in the fare list for citizens below:

Earlier, the minimum fare for the PBS was Rs50, while the maximum fare was Rs100, depending on the travel distance. Interestingly, there has been no change in passenger count even after the fare increase, both on the Red Line and for Electric Vehicles.