The Dera Darya Khan Bridge, linking Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remains closed after a suicide attack at the nearby Dajal checkpoint on Tuesday, causing severe disruption to traffic and transport of essential goods PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has rolled out free public transport across the province as a relief measure following the recent increase in oil prices, triggering a sharp increase in commuter participation and a renewed debate over the sustainability of these subsidies.
The initiative, introduced on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, allows passengers to travel fare-free on major public transport systems including the Orange Line Metro, Metro Bus services, Speedo buses and electric bus fleets. Officials said the move was aimed at mitigating the financial impact of rising fuel costs on daily commuters, especially low- and middle-income groups.
The policy took effect immediately, drawing large crowds to transit stations – particularly along Lahore’s Orange Line, where passenger numbers increased within hours of its implementation. Authorities responded by deploying additional staff for crowd management and security, while easing the flow of passengers.
According to estimates by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority, nearly 900,000 passengers are expected to benefit from free travel daily. This includes more than 300,000 Orange Line commuters, approximately 140,000 Metro Bus riders, and hundreds of thousands of people who rely on electric and feeder bus services in several districts.
However, this announcement comes against a backdrop of rising intercity transport fares, which have continued to rise despite the government’s assurances of relief. Passengers reported significant increases on key routes, with fares from Lahore to Islamabad increasing from Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,600, and from Lahore to Faisalabad increasing from Rs 1,050 to Rs 1,400.
Commuters expressed frustration over what they described as inconsistent implementation of relief measures. “There is no uniformity. Public buses are free, but private operators charge whatever they want,” said traveler Ali Usman at a bus terminal.
Transport operators, for their part, cited the decline in financial accessibility for passengers and the increase in operational costs. Some have warned they may be forced to cut routes if current trends persist.
Along with free public transportation, the provincial government introduced a targeted fuel subsidy program for motorcycle owners, a segment considered one of the most affected by volatile fuel prices. Under the scheme, eligible users will receive up to 20 liters of petrol per month at a subsidized rate.
Officials said registration for the program would be facilitated through a dedicated hotline, mobile app and web portal, with verification mechanisms linked to government databases.
Meanwhile, the government has waived registration and transfer fees for motorcycles, in a bid to ease financial pressure on owners of small vehicles.
Officials also confirmed plans to expand public transport capacity by leasing additional buses. An initial deployment of 1,000 non-air-conditioned buses is being studied to fill demand gaps. The estimated daily operational cost per bus exceeds Rs61,000, placing total daily fleet expenses at over Rs61 million, with monthly costs expected to approach Rs1.85 billion.
Although provincial authorities have presented the initiative as a necessary intervention during an ongoing oil crisis linked to global market disruptions, questions remain about long-term financial viability and policy direction.
For now, the government maintains the measure will remain in effect as long as economic pressures persist, urging citizens to turn to public transport as a more affordable and energy-efficient alternative.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced a relief package for farmers, especially those growing wheat. Under the initiative, financial assistance will be provided to farmers owning up to 25 acres of land, with a subsidy of Rs 150 per liter for 10 liters of diesel per acre.
