Public up at arms against new bus fares

Report Ibrahim Qabool, Mastuj

People here have reacted strongly to the U-turn taken by the district administration on public transport fares on the pressure of the drivers union.
The district administration had earlier fixed public transport fares between the Chitral town and all villages in the tehsil in accordance with the decrease in the prices of petroleum products. However, drivers belonging to Mastuj went on a strike for about 20 to 25 days against the new bus fares enforced by the district administration.
On November 21, representatives of the drivers union and some nazims held a meeting with the DRO (district revenue officer) after which the bus fares were increased on the demand of the transporters.
But the public is not ready to accept the latest revision. They say the first decision of the district administration ie DCO, DPO and the DRO was rational because the prices of petroleum product have been decreasing day by day.
The public of Mastuj say they are also disappointed at the role of UC nazim Ibrahim Shah in taking the side of the drivers.
On November 22, social worker Molaiddin Shah of Mastuj told Mr Ibrahim Shah that this was totally injustice with the people and they would not accept the revised bus fares.
Our representatives also received phone calls from people belonging to almost all walks of life condemning the latest revision in transport fares and terming it anti-people. They said instead of surrendering to the drivers, the local administration should have brought down the fares in accordance with the slump in POL prices and give some relief to the commuters already hard hit by ever rising inflation.
They asked the district administration to ensure implementation of the previous bus fares.

Previous bus fare fixed by district administration

Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG
Chitral to Mastuj 130 130 60 60

Revised by nazims and representatives of drivers union on 21st November

Station Passenger vehical
(special) Rate per passenger
Loaded vehicle Rate per
50 KG Rate per 40 KG Rate of 50 and 40 KG is also applicable for passenger vehicles.
Chitral to Mastuj 165 140 70 60