Carriers report 40-45% drop in Eid passengers; railways suspend eight trains
RAWALPINDI:
Rising inflation, increased transport fares and the soaring prices of sacrificial animals have forced a large number of residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to celebrate Eidul Azha in Rawalpindi and Islamabad this year instead of traveling to their native towns and villages.
As a result, passenger traffic at the 54 transport terminals across the twin cities has been unusually low ahead of the Eid holiday, while bus stands lack their traditional festive bustle.
Mutahida Transport Federation Patron-in-Chief Haji Zahoor Arain said passenger numbers during the Eidul Azha season had dropped by 40 to 45 percent this year.
He said that while in the past entire families traveled to their ancestral villages to celebrate Eid, this year only one or two family members made the journey instead of the entire household.
Arain added that despite the announcement of long summer school holidays, there had been no noticeable increase in the number of passengers traveling to their hometowns.
Due to the fall in passenger numbers, Pakistan Railways has also suspended the operation of eight trains, while railway stations have started wearing a deserted look.
“With only two days left before Eidul Azha, it remains to be seen whether passenger numbers will increase or not, although the chances look slim,” he noted, adding that many people intending to travel had already left over the weekend because public holidays would continue into the coming week.
He further said that the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals had also witnessed a decline of 40 to 45 percent this year. According to transporters, the main reason behind the steep hike in transport fares is the sudden Rs 50 to 70 per liter hike in petrol and diesel prices in recent months.
They maintained that the nominal reduction of Rs 5 in fuel prices had little practical impact as the cost of vehicle spare parts, tyres, and the wages of drivers, conductors and helpers had all increased significantly.
Passengers complained that carriers were now charging full-seat fares, even for children as young as 10, describing the practice as exploitative. They also claimed that additional charges equivalent to a full seat fare were required for baggage.
Commuters said stagnant incomes and relentless inflation had put a severe strain on household finances.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) said that monitoring teams would continue to inspect transport terminals until Eidul Azha, adding that claims and fines had already been imposed against transporters involved in overloading and overloading passengers.
