Punjab reduces bus, rail fares by 5%
Punjab govt to launch first e-taxi service
Staff Report
LAHORE: Following a decrease in petroleum prices, the Punjab Transport Department has announced a 5% reduction in bus and rail fares across the province. The move aims to ease travel costs for commuters and ensure transparency at bus stands.
The Regional Transport Authority secretary has ordered all bus terminals to implement the new fares immediately and display updated fare lists for passengers. Diesel prices were reduced by Rs12.84 per litre on Friday night, prompting the transport department to adjust ticket prices accordingly.
Fares of various cities have been reduced by Rs50 to Rs300, which are as follows:
Lahore to Sargodha fare cut by Rs50 to Rs1,060; Lahore to Islamabad fare cut by Rs100 to Rs1,950; Lahore to Peshawar fare cut by Rs120 to Rs2,380; Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan fare cut by Rs140 to Rs2,810;
Lahore to Hyderabad fare fixed at Rs5,800 after a Rs300 decrease and Lahore to Karachi (Rail) fare reduced by Rs320 to Rs6,040
The secretary of the Regional Transport Authority confirmed that officials are actively inspecting bus stands to ensure compliance with the new fare structure. He said, “We are in touch with transporters, and all new fares will be effective from today.”
Punjab govt to launch first e-taxi service
Major progress has been made regarding Pakistan’s first e-taxi service project as Punjab government has decided to finance up to Rs6.5 million for electric vehicles for the project.
A working paper has been prepared for the availability of 1,100 vehicles to start electric taxi service in Lahore.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has given formal approval for electric taxi service.
The Chief Minister will inaugurate the portal of the electric taxi service project after returning from her visit to Japan. Punjab government will pay the interest on the financing of electric taxi.
Seven types of vehicles worth Rs4 million to Rs10 million will be available for the electric taxi service project. Punjab government will pay Rs585,000 as a 20 percent down payment.
Banks will finance up to Rs6.5 million for the purchase of electric taxis, while the consumer will have to pay for the purchase of vehicles of higher value. In this regard, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan said that Punjab will spend up to Rs2 billion for the implementation of the electric taxi service project.
