The Sindh government has ordered an immediate reduction in public transport fares across the province following a Rs. 32.63 per liter cut in the price of high-speed diesel.
The Sindh Transport Department has directed transporters to pass the full benefit of the diesel price reduction on to passengers by lowering fares for public transport services.
The directive applies to buses, minibuses, coaches, vans and other public service vehicles operating across Sindh. Transporters have also been instructed to clearly display revised fare lists inside vehicles and at bus terminals.
The provincial transport authorities have been directed to conduct daily inspections of public transport vehicles to ensure operators are charging passengers according to the newly approved fares.
Officials have been instructed to take strict action against transporters who fail to comply with the fare reduction or charge passengers above the officially approved rates.
Violators could face fines, suspension of route permits and cancellation of vehicle fitness certificates, depending on the nature of the violation.
Relevant officials have also been ordered to submit daily reports to the Sindh Transport Department regarding implementation of the new fares.
The decision follows the federal government’s reduction in the price of high-speed diesel by Rs. 32.63 per liter. Following the reduction, the price of high-speed diesel has been set at Rs. 363.06 per liter.
The lower diesel price is expected to reduce operating costs for transport operators. The Sindh government has now directed transporters to ensure that passengers receive the benefit through lower public transport fares.
The provincial government is also strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent transporters from retaining the fuel-cost benefit while continuing to charge passengers at previous fare levels.
The move is expected to provide some relief to commuters across Sindh, particularly those who rely on buses, minibuses, vans and coaches for daily travel.
