Following the recent hike in petroleum prices, especially diesel, both goods and public transporters have raised fares by five per cent on Wednesday, a private TV channel reported.
According to the president of the Goods Transporters Association, the increase in diesel prices made a fare hike unavoidable. “We’re already under financial pressure. The rise in fuel cost has forced us to revise fares,” he said.
However, transporters made the fare adjustment without any official notification from the government, which has sparked concern among commuters.
Public transport users have also been hit by the hike. Citizens in various cities said that inflation has already made life difficult, and the unapproved fare increase is adding to their problems.
It should be noted that the federal government on Tuesday raised the prices of petroleum products, with a significant hike in diesel rates.
According to a notification issued by the Finance Division, the price of petrol has been hiked by Rs5.36 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) has seen a sharp rise of Rs11.37 per litre. Following the revision, the new price of HSD stands at Rs284.35 per litre.
On July 1, the government had increased the prices of the POL by up to Rs. 8 per litre, after which the transporter had announced a nationwide strike. Further reaction is expected from the transporter after the new hike in the prices.
