Tag: public transport

  • Travellers suffer as transporters jack up prices before Eid

    Travellers suffer as transporters jack up prices before Eid

    The recent spike in petroleum prices has triggered a transportation crisis as transporters exploit passengers by hiking fares.

    With Eidul Fitr set for April 10, families are flocking to their hometowns, crowding terminals and the Rawalpindi Railway Station.

    The government’s decision to raise petroleum prices has made long-distance travel challenging for the public.

    Transporters, citing increased fuel costs, have raised fares by 30 to 40 per cent, with some even doubling the usual rates. Despite this, authorities appear indifferent to commuters’ plight.

    Secretary of the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA), Muhammad Rashid, promises action to curb overcharging during Eid. He pledges strict measures, including fines and vehicle confiscation, and personally oversees terminals to enforce regulations.

    Many families express frustration with the timing of the official Eid holidays, urging for an earlier start to aid travel plans.

    Consequently, a significant number of non-local residents have already left, with more planning to depart by ‘Chand Raat.’ Concerns about overcrowded transportation hubs persist, especially at Rawalpindi Railway Station.

    To avoid anticipated congestion, many office-goers have sent their families ahead. Rashid Mehmood, bound for Lahore, recounts past experiences of exploitation by private transporters during festivals.

    Crowds gather at various terminals, eager to secure tickets for their journeys. However, irregularities in ticket sales emerge, with allegations of seat hoarding and ticket reselling at inflated prices.

    Further complaints arise about the lack of available vehicles despite valid tickets, highlighting systemic failures in managing overcharging and overloading concerns.

    As Eid approaches, addressing these issues becomes urgent, emphasising the need for swift regulatory measures to protect travellers’ rights and ensure fair access to transportation services.

  • Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    Islamabad’s public transport fares reduced by 10% 

    With immediate effect, public transport fares in Islamabad have been reduced by 10 per cent in direct response to the recent decline in petroleum prices.  

    This decision emerged following a meeting convened by the Secretary of the Islamabad Transport Authority, involving consultations with representatives from the Drivers Welfare Association as well as transportation business owners. 

    This fare reduction is poised to make a significant impact, encompassing 23 distinct routes crisscrossing the capital city of Islamabad. It serves as a vital measure to alleviate the financial burden borne by commuters in the region. 

    Notably, this benevolent gesture is mirrored in Lahore, where transport operators have also undertaken fare reductions for both long-haul and short-haul journeys. 

    Furthermore, as part of its ongoing commitment to ease the economic challenges facing the populace amidst escalating inflation, the caretaker government took decisive action on Sunday.  

    This action involved a substantial reduction in petrol price by a notable Rs40 per litre and an equally substantial reduction of Rs15 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD) over the forthcoming two weeks.  

  • Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    Chinese company ‘China Power’ plans to set up electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Sindh

    A delegation from the Chinese firm ‘China Power’ expressed keen interest in setting up an industrial plant in Sindh for the production of electric vehicles. The meeting between the company representatives and Sindh Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Memon, took place in Karachi on Wednesday.

    Minister Memon warmly welcomed the company’s interest and assured them of the provincial government’s full support in facilitating investors and industrialists in the region. This move highlights the government’s commitment to promoting investment and boosting the manufacturing sector in Sindh.

    This is not the first time a Chinese company has shown interest in establishing a manufacturing plant in Karachi. Last year, another Chinese company agreed to establish Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing company in the city. This initiative aimed to make buses more affordable and accessible to the public.

    The announcement was made by Minister Memon following his meeting with the country manager of the bus company. The manufacturing plant, to be established on an 18-acre land, is expected to be operational within the next 20 months, with an annual production capacity of 500 buses.

    Minister Memon emphasised that the establishment of a public transport manufacturing plant remains a top priority for the provincial government, and efforts are being made to expedite the project. He further mentioned via his Twitter account that he had a detailed meeting with a leading Chinese bus manufacturing company, and they have agreed to initiate Pakistan’s first intra-city bus manufacturing plant in Karachi.

    The interest shown by ‘China Power’ and the previous commitment from the Chinese bus manufacturing company indicate growing confidence in the investment potential and business environment of Sindh. These ventures can not only enhance the local manufacturing sector but also contribute to the development of sustainable transportation options in Pakistan.

    Overall, the collaboration between Chinese companies and the provincial government of Sindh demonstrates a significant step towards fostering industrial growth and expanding the electric vehicle and public transportation sectors in the region.

  • Punjab Transport Department increases non-AC bus fares by over 250%

    Punjab Transport Department increases non-AC bus fares by over 250%

    The Punjab Transport Department (PTD) has announced that it will increase the fares of non-AC buses in response to the rising prices of diesel and petrol.

    This decision will place an additional burden on the poor, as fares will increase by more than 250 per cent. The new fares for both inter and intra-city non-AC bus services will be implemented from April 25th.

    The fare for non-AC bus services operating between different cities will increase by 233 per cent to 267 per cent. Additionally, an increase of up to 267 per cent in the fares of non-AC buses and wagons has also been approved.

    Under the new policy, passengers travelling one to four km will see an increase from Rs14 to Rs47, a difference of Rs33.

    This fare hike will also make it more expensive for passengers to return to their cities from native towns, particularly after Eid-ul-Fitr.

  • Color me pink; Sindh launches bus service for women

    Color me pink; Sindh launches bus service for women

    The Sindh government has launched a bus service solely for women in Karachi. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon took to Twitter on Thursday to announce that the Sindh Transport Department has launched the bus service in the metropolis.

    He also shared pictures of the buses, which are painted in a distinct shade of pink.

    “Transport department government of Sindh is going to start Pakistan’s First bus service only for the women and girls exclusively. Inshallah Pink buses will start their operation from 1st February in #Karachi. Peoples Bus Service, At Your Service.”

    Twitter users lauded the launch of the bus service as a step towards improving access to public transport for women in Sindh.

    “Another good initiative of the transport department, the women-only bus service will be launched very soon on the roads of Karachi from February 1 Thanks to Chairman @BBhuttoZardari, Transport Minister @sharjeelinam is changing Karachi for all of us in the journey of development.”

    https://twitter.com/SyedGhazan25/status/1618541200549769217?s=20&t=5uUZLsQazK–8yMRHq-Kyw

    Mental health blogger and therapist Maheen Ghani said that the decision would help ‘bringing safety for women.’

  • Transport companies asked to reduce fares by 20 per cent

    Transport companies asked to reduce fares by 20 per cent

    On Saturday, the D-Class Bus Stand Association delegation met with Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) General Rawalpindi, Qasim Ijaz, who requested that the transporters reduce their ticket prices by 20 per cent to help the populace.

    The meeting was attended by representatives of the D-Class Bus Stand Association from Kainat, Safeway, New Shaheen, Darbar, Kohistan, Ghosia, and other locations. The ADC requested that the transporters reduce their rates by 20 per cent in light of the drop in fuel prices.

    He continued by saying that the government was doing everything it could to help the populace. The association fully guaranteed a 20 per cent reduction in prices.

    He instructed the transporters to post banners at their respective bus stops that clearly displayed previous and current fares in order to facilitate travelers. The Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Noor ul Amin Mengal, gave the transporters instructions to keep their waiting areas and restrooms tidy and clean so that the public could be served.

  • People’s Bus Service to be launched in Karachi and Larkana

    The People’s Bus Service will be launched in Karachi and Larkana today. Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will inaugurate the bus service in both cities today (June 21). The bus service is being launched by the Sindh government.

    In the initial phase, around 140 buses have been purchased for the service out of which 130 will be used in Karachi and 10 in Larkana.

    The bus will operate on the following routes in Karachi:

    Seats are also reserved for persons with disabilities and women on these buses. The ticket prices have yet to be announced by the Sindh government. However, according to unofficial reports, the government would establish a minimum and maximum tariff of Rs 25 and Rs55.

    The Peoples’ Bus Service is a separate project from the network of Bus Rapid Transit lines. 

  • PM Shehbaz reduces fares for Lahore Metro Bus Service

    PM Shehbaz reduces fares for Lahore Metro Bus Service

    Prime Minister (PM) of Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif has announced a fare cut for the Lahore Metro Bus Service. He said that the fares had been lowered in order to provide help to daily commuters in the face of Pakistan’s economic crisis.

    PM Shehbaz revealed this at the Indus Hospital’s opening ceremony. He claimed that due to the “past government’s mismanagement,” the government has no choice but to announce fuel price hikes.

    According to PM Shehbaz, the government would cut public transportation costs. The government believes that by doing so, individuals will be more likely to take public transportation, resulting in fuel savings.

    The Prime Minister declared free metro rides for residents of the twin cities in Ramadan. The move was warmly received and appreciated by commuters on a daily basis.

    Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad all have Metro Bus Service. However, the government has only announced relief for Metro users in Lahore, and it is unclear whether it will extend to other cities.

    The current Metro Bus rate is Rs30, but following Prime Minister Shehbaz’s announcement of a 50 per cent reduction, the ticket would be available for Rs15.

  • After Airlift, Swvl to let go 32 per cent workforce, limit operations

    After Airlift, Swvl to let go 32 per cent workforce, limit operations

    The provider of tech-enabled mass transit solutions, Swvl announced that it is implementing a portfolio optimization plan to boost sales performance while lowering its expenses as a way to accelerate its path to increase profitability and gain a tremendous reputation by the next year.

    The company’s big move comes just days after Airlift announced that it was reducing headcount by 31 per cent across all countries and limiting categories on the platform. Also, the company has withdrawn from several markets, including Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria.

    Swvl aims to cut its workforce by 32 per cent, according to the company’s official press release. Roles that have been automated as a result of investments in the Company’s engineering, product, and support operations will be targeted for reductions. Swvl intends to provide monetary, non-monetary, and job placement assistance to assist specific employees in transitioning to new responsibilities.

    Swvl’s Transport as a Service (TaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS) businesses are both rapidly growing. Swvl’s TaaS business provides technology-enabled transportation for corporates, schools, universities, industrial facilities, airlines, and other institutional clients via its asset-light marketplace. They presently have over 500 active accounts on four continents, with a monthly salary of over $5 million.

    According to the company’s LinkedIn site, it employs over 1,330 people. Around 400 employees will lose their employment as a result of the mobility company laying off nearly 30 per cent of its workforce.

    Tech startups, both private and public, have had to face a reckoning in recent months, with their stock prices plummeting. An economic slump has impacted company finances, forcing them to make cost-cutting decisions, the most important of which is laying off staff.

    The Dubai-based startup’s restructuring joins a lengthy list of global cross-stage cutbacks in what has been a difficult month for tech workers. According to statistics, over 15,000 tech workers have lost their jobs in the United States alone. Multiple Companies including Klarna, Getir, Gorillas, and Bolt (the payments startup) have fired employees, while Snap, Twitter, and Instacart have halted or stopped hiring entirely.

  • 49 buses arrive Karachi for Orange Line BRT, intra-city service

    49 buses arrive Karachi for Orange Line BRT, intra-city service

    A total of 49 buses procured for the Orange Line BRT project and the Intra-District Peoples Bus Service reached Karachi port on May 11.

    In June 2016, Syed Qaim Ali Shah laid the foundation stone for the Orange Line, predicting that the project will be finished in a year.

    After six years, the project is still unfinished. The Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) and contractors had originally been granted until November 2021 to complete the building of the Orange Line BRT track, however, they had missed the deadline.

    The provincial minister has directed the SMTA to finish the civil and electrical work for the Orange Line BRT by the end of this month. The Orange Line BRT is named after Abdul Sattar Edhi.

    Read more: CNG prices pushed to Rs140 per kg for sales tax collection

    As the 49 buses landed at the port, Sindh Transport and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon tweeted that the remaining buses were on their way and will come in phases over the coming months.