Penalties, fines fail to stop transporters from overcharging
As millions of people across the country take bus rides to spend Eid with loved ones in hometowns, the transporters hike the fares on ages old excuse 'wapsi pur bus khali aati hay' or the bus comes empty on the return journey.
Complaints have been received by the city administration about overcharging of fares by Rs1,000 to Rs2,000. The fare for Quetta, which was previously Rs4,500, is now being charged at Rs6,500.
A passenger said that the fare for Kot Addu, in South Punjab was Rs3,400, a few weeks ago, but as the Eid came near, the transporters have increased it to Rs5,200.
Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hassan Naqvi, directed DCs to take legal action against bus operators who overcharged passengers, imposing fines, and refunding excess fare.
DC East Abrar Jaffar reported that fares were checked on 213 buses at Karachi Toll Plaza, and a total of Rs613,000 was refunded to passengers who were overcharged. Challans were issued to 87 buses for overcharging and fines of Rs293,000 were imposed.
While at Karachi Bus Terminal, Superhighway fares were checked on 151 buses and excess fares worth Rs275,000 were refunded to passengers. At Punjab Terminal, fares were checked on 171 buses and Rs378,500 were refunded to passengers.
Meanwhile, the National Highways and Motorway Police (South Zone, Karachi) have so far forced bus operators to refund over Rs900,000 excess fare to passengers. Additionally, bus operators involved in fare violations have been fined over Rs800,000, according to DIG Motorway Police Asghar Ali Yousafzai.
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