Karachi:
The lively metropolitan city is faced with several challenges, one of the major problems of which is the non -regulated car rental sector. Business owners often park their car on the main roads, which causes frequent traffic jams. The absence of a formal government policy to regulate car rental and prices has further aggravated the situation, leading to incoherent prices and inconvenience for the public.
Rental vehicle prices have increased in recent years. This increase is awarded to the rise in prices for petroleum products, vehicle maintenance and spare parts.
Naveed Ahmed, a Nazimabad resident, spoke of his rental experience of a 25-seat air-conditioned coatter for a family picnic on Hawk’s Bay beach. “Last year, the rent was 28,000 rupees, but this year increased to 34,000 rupees,” he deplored, quoting an increase of 8,000 to 10,000 rupees in just one year.
Similarly, Shazia Maryam, a housewife in Garden, said her family had paid 21,000 rupees to rent a car for a trip to Lake Keenjhar after having dropped the initial demand of 25,000 rupees. It underlined the need for a government policy aimed at normalizing the rental rates, like the way in which public transport rates are determined.
Nabeel Shahid, a Colony GDP student, deplored the impact of inflation on family events. “We have rented an air -conditioned vehicle of 16 places for 20,000 rupees for a wedding in Korangi. Due to the cost increase, the families of the middle class now reflect twice before attending events together, because these additional expenses become unaffordable. “
The owners of the car rental sector are also in difficulty. IRFAN SHAIKH, a rental operator, said that many families invest in utility vehicles and rent them to rental companies as part of agreements where income is shared: 60 % for the vehicle owner, 30 % for the operator and 10 % for the driver. However, parking remains a major problem.
“Our vehicles are often parked in front of the stores, which gives rise to complaints for traffic jams. The traffic police sometimes put our vehicles in a pound, assuming that they are commercial,” he added.
Mohin Raza, another rental operator, admitted the lack of regulation in the sector. “The Sindh transport department has not set up any mechanism to determine the prices. In the past two years, vehicle rents have increased by 25 to 30 % due to the increase in spending, which has led to a 30 to 35 % drop in our activity. Many vehicle owners now rent their vehicles to private companies instead of relying on rental. »»
Drivers in the sector, like Ashfaq Anjum, face their own challenges. “We earn between 20,000 and 25,000 Rs per month, with an additional commission of 1,000 RS per trip. If a customer gives us a tip, it is a bonus. Beyond that, we receive no advantage or advantage Incentive, “he told The Express PK Press Club. .
The Sindh Ministry of Transport recognized the lack of regulations in the car rental sector. Officials have promised to formulate a policy to register vehicle rental companies and normalize prices.
