Pakistan Railways hikes fares after fuel price hike

Pakistan Railways on Saturday announced fare increases for passenger and freight trains following hike in diesel prices.

A day earlier, the government sharply hiked diesel and gasoline prices by 55 rupees per liter, or 20 percent – marking the first in a series of similar hikes expected in the coming days due to the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted supply chains and pushed crude oil prices to their highest level in two years.

According to a Pakistan Railways spokesperson, economy class fares will increase by 5 percent, freight train fares will increase by 20 percent while air-conditioned classes will see a 10 percent increase.

“The operating costs of passenger trains due to hike in diesel price will be borne by Pakistan Railways itself,” the spokesperson added.

The fare adjustments will come into effect on March 9 for all freight and passenger services, but will not apply to bookings already made, the spokesperson said.

“The increase in train fares was inevitable following the hike in diesel prices,” he added.

A sharp increase of Rs 55 per liter in the price of petrol has intensified the cost of living, with residents reporting higher transport fares and rise in prices of daily use items.

People also reported conflicts at gas pumps, where attendants refused to dispense fuel worth less than a liter. According to residents, many customers asked for gasoline worth Rs 150 or 200, but the pump staff refused, saying that the flow rate from the nozzles is fixed and the fuel is dispensed in smaller or larger quantities, leading to frequent arguments.

Rising gas prices have also pushed up the price of fruits, vegetables and other essentials. Traders said the cost of transportation for bringing fruits, vegetables and goods was earlier around Rs 1,000 per trip but has now increased to between Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000.

Drivers providing transport services for school children have also increased their fares, with residents saying the entire burden has been shifted to the public.

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Citizens said rising prices had made life increasingly difficult, adding that they were struggling to choose between buying fuel and meeting basic household needs.

Talk to The Express PK Press Clubresidents, including Amir, Babar, Intikhab, Zahoor and Rashid, said salaries were already low while inflation continued to rise.

Amir said that he had earlier bought petrol worth Rs 1,000, which lasted for about 15 days, but now the same quantity would not even suffice for four days.

Rashid, who works loading and unloading, said work was already scarce and wondered how many more people could afford to pay for transportation costs.