Transport operators raise fares by up to 10% after Rs55/litre increase; commuters shift to public transport
KARACHI:
Ride-hailing and self-arranged motorcycle transport operators in the metropolis have raised fares by five to 10 per cent following a Rs55 per litre increase in petroleum prices, while citizens say their daily fuel expenses have also surged, putting further strain on household budgets.
Motorcycle riders associated with online transport services said the fare adjustment was unavoidable due to rising fuel costs. Rehan Naeem, a bike rider providing services through an online platform, said he lives in Mahmoodabad with his wife and two children in a rented house.
He said he previously worked at a factory earning Rs22,000 per month, but switched to ride-hailing services as it was difficult to meet expenses with that income.
“After the Rs55/litre increase in petrol prices, fares have gone up by around five to 10 per cent,” he said, adding that short-distance fares had increased by about Rs50, medium-distance fares by Rs80, and longer routes by Rs100 to Rs120.
He said the higher fares had pushed many commuters to shift towards public transport.
Umair Khan, a motorcycle rider who provides self-arranged transport services, said he works as a salesman at a shop during the day, earning Rs25,000 a month, and offers motorcycle rides part-time to supplement his income.
Standing at Liaquatabad No 10 to pick up passengers, he said fares are usually negotiated with riders. “A short-distance ride costs around Rs150, while longer distances can go up to Rs400,” he said, adding that after the fuel price hike, fares had been increased by Rs70 to Rs150. He said the number of passengers had declined by 10 to 20 per cent following the increase in petroleum prices, though business remains relatively better during evening hours.
Another ride-hailing driver, Talha Farooqi, who provides car services through an online platform, said fares had increased by about 10pc after the latest petrol price hike. “Minimum fares have increased by around Rs100, while longer routes have seen an increase of more than Rs250,” he said.
He added that daily earnings had declined due to rising fuel costs and fewer passengers. “Earlier I used to earn about Rs1,500 per day, but now my income has dropped to around Rs1,000 to Rs1,200,” he further said.
Commuters also complained about the rising cost of travel.
Waqar Abbasi, an employee of a private company who lives in Karimabad and works near Tower, said he used ride-hailing services for commuting. “Previously I spent about Rs600 daily on two-way fares, but now the cost has increased to Rs800 to Rs900, which is difficult to afford,” he said, adding that he had started using public transport instead.
Nimra Khan, a government employee residing in Sharifabad, said she uses a motorcycle for commuting and consumes around two litres of petrol daily. “After the increase in fuel prices, my daily fuel expenses have increased by about Rs100, and now I spend around Rs650 per day,” she said.
Saleem Qureshi, a garment salesman at Jama Cloth Market, said his monthly petrol expenses had increased by about Rs3,000, while his salary had remained unchanged. “How can we manage these additional expenses?” he asked, urging the government to either reduce petrol prices or increase salaries.
He said the increase in fuel costs was significantly affecting household budgets, particularly for individuals living in nuclear family setups without the financial support of extended families.
