RAWALPINDI:

Transporters operating from all 55 large and small bus terminals across Rawalpindi district, including the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand, have significantly increased fares for suburban and long-distance routes ahead of Eidul Fitr, leaving many migrant workers unable to travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family.

According to reports, intercity fares have been raised by Rs600 to Rs800 per passenger, effectively disrupting a long-standing tradition of more than a century in which workers travel from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to their native villages for the festival.

As a result of the increase, the one-way travel cost for an entire family travelling with children from the twin cities to their hometowns has now exceeded Rs10,000, while the return fare can reach around Rs20,000.

Transport operators have also begun charging separately for luggage per passenger, and fares are being collected even for young children, leaving many travellers distressed and dampening the festive spirit.

Consequently, many lower-income employees have decided to celebrate Eid in Rawalpindi and Islamabad instead of returning to their villages. With only five days remaining before Eid, ticket bookings at bus terminals remain unusually low.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways has also increased fares by 5 to 10 per cent, resulting in a decline in train ticket bookings as well. The Punjab Mass Transit Authority has likewise raised fares, with the Metrobus (Pakistan) fare in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Multan increased by Rs10 to Rs40 per trip.

Public road transport operators have also raised fares by Rs300 to Rs600 on various routes. For example, the executive fare from Rawalpindi to Lahore has increased from Rs2,250 to Rs2,480, while the Lahore-Islamabad fare has risen from Rs3,000 to Rs3,260. The Lahore-Peshawar fare has gone up from Rs3,000 to Rs3,330, Lahore-Multan from Rs2,200 to Rs2,400, and Lahore-Faisalabad from Rs1,200 to Rs1,400.

Similarly, fares have increased on longer routes: Lahore-Sukkur from Rs5,550 to Rs6,100, Lahore-Hyderabad from Rs8,650 to Rs9,200, Lahore-Sadiqabad from Rs3,800 to Rs4,150, and Lahore-Dera Ghazi Khan from Rs2,340 to Rs2,560. The Executive Plus fare from Rawalpindi to Lahore has risen from Rs3,350 to Rs3,680, while the Lahore-Karachi fare has increased by Rs3,000 to Rs13,200. The Lahore-Murree fare has also climbed from Rs3,100 to Rs3,720.

Commuters have expressed frustration over the steep rise in costs. Faisal Ali and Arshad Khan, two migrant workers, said travelling alone was not an option as they had three to four children. “If we pay Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 for travel, food and other expenses for the whole family, how will we manage household expenses?” they said, adding that for the first time in 12 years they would celebrate Eid in Rawalpindi and Islamabad rather than their villages.