PAKISTAN Railways must be appreciated for promptly reducing fares following reduction of oil prices for the ongoing fortnight by the government of Pakistan. The reduced fares, announced for making the travel by train more affordable and accessible to the public, will take effect from 3 August. According to a notification, Rs100 to Rs150 have been reduced on the AC class tickets while Rs50 have been reduced on the tickets for economy class.
Pakistan Railways is a vital mode of transportation in the country, carrying passengers and freight to remote areas and connecting people for business, education, pilgrimage and sightseeing. The decision of the department to reduce fares would, therefore, provide relief to millions of passengers. Pakistan Railways is beset with financial crisis but still it lost no time in providing relief to commuters after reduction of prices of petrol and diesel by the Government. The question arises as to why the private sector transporters are not passing on the relief to the travellers. It has been observed for a long period that transporters are not in the habit of revising their fares downward but jack them up promptly when upward adjustment in prices is made. This shows poor governance and lack of administrative and regulatory controls by the so-called Regional Transport Authorities, communication departments and local administrations. It is the responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to ensure a trickle down of the relief on account of reduction in oil prices.
