Daily Times

KARACHI: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and district administrations have failed to stop overcrowded public transports from fleecing travelers celebrating Eid in
their hometowns.

According to reports, public transporters overcharged commuters by 100 percent increase in the fares. The commuters are facing difficulties during travel to their destinations for Eid celebrations at their hometowns.

The Regional Transport Authority and district administrations failed to control over loot and plunder from passengers; while return their hometowns have complained a much increase of fares.

Sources said that Tthe transporters collecting over high fares, apart from charges of luggage. The passengers Shahid Ali, Rahim Bux and Subhan told Daily Times that Rs 200 are being charged for Hyderabad but transporters are collecting Rs 500 due to occasion of Eid, while heavy increase in the fares of Dadu, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah and other parts of country are
being observed.

Sources said that there was no authority and district administrations in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and other parts to control fares on Eid.

It is learnt that amid Eid rush; the transporters since a week have increased fares by 100-150 percent in Karachi and other parts of country whereas, National Highway and Motorway Police distributed gifts among road travellers and made iftar arrangements at
toll plazas.

DSP Motorway, Qazi Naveed, ensured arrangements for iftar. He said iftar arrangements were made throughout the holy month of Ramazan at different locations. The Motorway officials said that aim of this activity was to transfer awareness of road safety via pamphlets and brochures and bringing happiness.

Meanwhile, the first of three special Eid trains arranged for travellers visiting relatives in other cities during the Eid holidays left Karachi with 800 passengers in 10 carriages for Peshawar from the Cantonment Railway Station at 11am
on Sunday.

“This is the only time of the year when we get the chance to visit our relatives in another city and the railways take advantage of this,” said Ahmed Kamal, a student traveling to Lahore.

Most passengers with families were putting on brave smiles, determined not to let the Railway’s overcharging them ruin their holiday spirit. According to data shared by Pakistan Railways, the first Special Eid Train earned the department with Rs1,005,290 as it was filled to capacity with all 800 tickets sold out.