NATCO ends free tickets for needy passengers, officials

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan government-owned Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) on Friday abolished free travel passes for needy citizens, NATCO officials, senior citizens, and specially-abled persons.

 It also abolished the reserved seat allocation policy. “The free travel passes, which were introduced with the intention of assisting needy citizens, have unfortunately been misused which undermined the purpose of the initiative. Therefore, the issuance of free travel passes is hereby canceled with immediate effect,” reads a circular issued by NATCO General Manager Administration Abdul Hameed.

According to the new policy, two seats in every vehicle shall remain reserved exclusively for emergent tours of officers and officials of NATCO and the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. “These seats will be allocated only through the General Manager, Passenger Operations upon the approval of the Managing Director or any other senior officer authorized by the Managing Director,” reads the circular.

The circular said that in situations where no emergent official tours are scheduled, the reserved seats will be allocated to specially-abled persons and senior citizens at a discounted rate of 50% of the ticket price.

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However, it said, the allocation of a maximum of up to five seats at discounted rates for students and the quota for army officials shall remain unchanged until further orders.

The circular emphasized that no officer from the management of NATCO shall direct any station manager to allocate free seats under any circumstances. “This policy is effective immediately and must be strictly adhered to by all concerned departments and personnel. In case of violation, strict disciplinary action shall be initiated against those found responsible,” the circular added.

NATCO was established in 1974 under the Companies Act of 1913, following special orders from the then prime minister of Pakistan. Its purpose was to provide subsidized road transport services to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, then known as the Northern Areas, and to develop a reliable road transport system in the region. Today, NATCO has expanded its services to include routes to Lahore, Karachi, and Kashgar, China.