KARACHI: After the recent surge in diesel prices, public transport fares in Karachi have also been revised upward, adding to the burden on daily commuters.
According to information made available from transport authorities, the minimum bus fare in the metropolis has been increased from Rs.30 to Rs.50, while the maximum fare has been reduced to Rs.100. Officials say this adjustment is aimed at balancing affordability for short-distance passengers while ensuring sustainability for operators covering longer routes.
It may be added here that the impact of rising fuel costs is not limited to Karachi only as intercity bus services have also announced fare hikes.
The executive bus fare from Lahore to Rawalpindi has gone up from Rs.2,250 to Rs.2,480, while the Executive Plus service on the same route has been raised from Rs.3,350 to Rs.3,680. The fare from Lahore to Karachi has jumped by Rs.3,000, now standing at Rs.13,200. Similarly, the Lahore–Murree route has seen an increase from Rs.3,100 to Rs.3,720.
Justifying their decision, transport operators argue that the fare hikes are unavoidable given the sharp rise in diesel prices, which constitute the largest portion of their operating costs.
Pakistan’s transport sector is heavily dependent on imported fuel, and fluctuations in global oil markets directly affect local fares. In recent months, the government has repeatedly adjusted petroleum prices in line with international trends and rupee-dollar parity. Diesel, being the primary fuel for heavy vehicles, has seen one of the steepest increases.
