Surab: Transporters in Surab have refused to reduce fares despite directives by provincial government in aftermath of reduction in fuel prices.
Government slashed prices of petrol and diesel keeping in view woes of common people but the transporters of Surab are still charging old fares from passengers.
Mr. Muhammad Azeem, a student of Inter-College Surab told Balochistan Voices that after the government notified remarkable cut in petroleum prices, the CM of Balochistan Nawab Sana Ullah Khan Zehri directed solid measures to reduce transport fares in Balochistan province.
“On the directives of the CM of Balochistan, Surab to Quetta fare is 267.33 but transporters still charge old fare of 300,” said Mr. Azeem.
The transport mafia rarely abides by notification and they hardly ever follow government directives and there is no standard formula defined to decide fares. Fares always increase when fuel prices increase, however, the same doesn’t happen when fuel prices drop, lamented Mr. Azeem.
Mr. Riaz Hassani, a resident of Surab said that we appreciated the government for notifying reduction in petroleum products prices. However they have to pay old fares to transporters as they didn’t reduce fares so far. Because of this fare related disputes between passengers and conductors are pretty common. “We often complain that they are being charged unjustly but conductor and driver never accept this,” added Mr. Hassani.
Mr. Shams, a wagon driver on Surab-Quetta route said that transporters always have higher expenditure of service of the vehicle and further expenses in connection with change of tyres and autos material. It is good step of the government to reduced petroleum prices; however we transporters are already bearing higher expenditures for the vehicle. Therefore, transporters could not lessen fares.
Residents of Surab have urged the provincial government to take measures against the transporters who are still reluctant to reduce fares.
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