Punjab transporters slash fares after fuel price cut

LAHORE: Transport operators in Punjab on Saturday announced a reduction in fares after the government cut petrol and diesel prices, passing on part of the relief to commuters.

The All Pakistan Transporters’ Association said that fares on intercity routes from Lahore to other cities had been reduced by around 4 per cent following the latest drop in fuel prices.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by the secretary transport, according to officials.

Transporters said that the revised fare structure would take effect from Saturday and would apply to all public transport operators across routes departing from Lahore.

They said that the new fare chart would be displayed at bus terminals and stations to ensure compliance and transparency.

The move comes after the federal government announced a Rs22 per litre reduction in petrol and diesel prices, describing it as a relief measure for consumers during the Eid holiday period.

The Prime Minister’s Office said that the government had passed on the benefit of lower global oil prices to the public and reiterated that providing relief remained a priority despite fiscal constraints.

It also said fuel prices had already been reduced in the previous week and that further relief was being extended to public transport operators, goods carriers, motorcyclists and rickshaw drivers.

The latest cut brings petrol to Rs381.78 per litre and diesel to Rs380.78 per litre, although an official notification from the Petroleum Division is still awaited.

Earlier reductions included a Rs6 per litre cut last week and a Rs5 per litre decrease on May 15, according to official statements.