Passengers in Rawalpindi have received welcome relief after the district administration announced a transport fare cut ranging from 12% to 18% on public and goods transport routes. Acting on the Punjab government’s instructions, the District Administration and the Secretary Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Rawalpindi issued revised fare schedules at the tehsil level in line with the recent reduction in petroleum prices.
According to the RTA secretary, the new rates have been calculated proportionately to the decline in fuel costs, with different categories of transport receiving different levels of relief. AC diesel transport fares have been reduced by 12%, while non-AC diesel transport and petrol-based public transport have seen a 15% reduction. Goods transport vehicles, including freight carriers, have been given the highest cut at 18%.
Officials said the purpose of the transport fare cut is to pass on the benefit of lower fuel prices directly to the travelling public and transport operators. The administration has also moved to ensure that the revised rates are followed without delay on bus routes and at terminals across the district.
Teams from the District Administration and the RTA have been deployed in the field to monitor implementation and prevent overcharging. Strict checking is being carried out at bus stands and on major routes, and transport operators charging more than the notified fares are being warned of legal action. Authorities say enforcement will remain active to make sure passengers receive the full benefit of the revised fare structure.
The move is expected to ease daily travel costs for commuters in Rawalpindi, especially those who depend on public transport for work, education and routine travel. Officials have urged passengers to report any violation so the transport fare cut can be implemented fairly across the district.
