Dera Darya Khan bridge, connecting Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remains closed after a suicide attack at the nearby Dajal check post on Tuesday, causing severe disruption to traffic and the transport of essential goods PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has rolled out free public transport across the province in a relief measure following recent increases in petroleum prices, triggering a sharp rise in commuter turnout and renewed debate over the sustainability of such subsidies.
The initiative, introduced on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, allows passengers to travel without fares on major public transit systems, including the Orange Line Metro Train, Metro Bus services, Speedo buses and electric bus fleets. Officials said the move is aimed at cushioning the financial impact of rising fuel costs on daily commuters, particularly low- and middle-income groups.
The policy took immediate effect, drawing large crowds to transit stations – especially along Lahore’s Orange Line, where passenger volumes surged within hours of implementation. Authorities responded by deploying additional staff for crowd management and security, while facilitating smoother passenger flow.
According to estimates from the Punjab Mass Transit Authority, nearly 900,000 passengers are expected to benefit daily from the free travel facility. This includes over 300,000 Orange Line commuters, around 140,000 Metro Bus users, and hundreds of thousands relying on feeder and electric bus services across multiple districts.
However, the announcement comes against the backdrop of rising intercity transport fares, which have continued to climb despite government assurances of relief. Passengers reported significant increases on key routes, with fares from Lahore to Islamabad rising from Rs2,200 to Rs2,600, and Lahore to Faisalabad jumping from Rs1,050 to Rs1,400.
Commuters expressed frustration over what they described as inconsistent implementation of relief measures. “There’s no uniformity. Public buses are free, but private operators are charging whatever they want,” said a traveler, Ali Usman, at a bus terminal.
Transport operators, meanwhile, cited declining passenger affordability and rising operational costs. Some warned they may be forced to scale back routes if current trends persist.
Alongside free transit, the provincial government has introduced a targeted fuel subsidy programme for motorbike owners – a segment considered among the most affected by fuel price volatility. Under the scheme, eligible users will receive up to 20 liters of petrol per month at a subsidised rate.
Authorities said registration for the programme would be facilitated through a dedicated helpline, mobile application and web portal, with verification mechanisms linked to government databases.
In a parallel move, the government has waived registration and transfer fees for motorbikes, aiming to ease financial pressure on small vehicle owners.
Officials also confirmed plans to expand public transport capacity by leasing additional buses. An initial rollout of 1,000 non-air-conditioned buses is under consideration to address demand gaps. The estimated daily operational cost per bus exceeds Rs61,000, placing the total daily expenditure for the fleet at over Rs61 million, with monthly costs projected to approach Rs1.85 billion.
While provincial authorities framed the initiative as a necessary intervention during an ongoing fuel crisis linked to global market disruptions, questions remain about fiscal sustainability and long-term policy direction.
For now, the government maintains that the measure will remain in place as long as economic pressures persist, urging citizens to shift toward public transport as a more affordable and energy-efficient alternative.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced a relief package for farmers, particularly those cultivating wheat. Under the initiative, financial assistance will be provided to farmers owning up to 25 acres of land, with a subsidy of Rs150 per litre on 10 litres of diesel per acre.
