The Dera Darya Khan bridge connecting Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains closed after a suicide attack at the nearby Dajal check post on Tuesday caused severe disruption to traffic and transportation of essential goods PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has rolled out free public transport across the province in an emergency relief measure following recent increases in oil prices, sparking a sharp rise in commuter participation and renewing debate over the sustainability of such subsidies.
The initiative, which was introduced following 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 mitigating the financial impact of rising fuel costs on daily commuters, especially low- and middle-income groups.
The policy took effect immediately and drew large crowds to transit stations — especially along Lahore’s Orange Line, where ridership surged within hours of its implementation. The authorities responded by deploying additional staff for crowd management and security, while facilitating the flow of passengers.
According to Punjab Mass Transit Authority estimates, nearly 900,000 passengers are expected to benefit from the free travel facility daily. This includes over 300,000 Orange Line commuters, about 140,000 Metro Bus users and hundreds of thousands who rely on feeder and electric bus services across multiple districts.
However, the announcement comes against the backdrop of rising intercity transport prices, which have continued to rise despite the government’s assurances of relief. Passengers reported significant increases on the key routes, with fares from Lahore to Islamabad increasing from Rs.2,200 to Rs.2,600 and Lahore to Faisalabad from Rs.1,050 to Rs.1,400.
Commuters expressed frustration at what they described as inconsistent implementation of relief measures. “There is no uniformity. Public buses are free but private operators charge whatever they want,” said a traveler, Ali Usman, at a bus terminal.
Transport operators, meanwhile, cited declining passenger affordability and rising operating costs. Some warned they may be forced to cut routes if current trends continue.
In addition to free transit, the provincial government has introduced a targeted fuel subsidy program for motorcycle owners – a segment considered to be 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 subsidized rate.
Authorities said registration for the program 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 motorcycles in a bid to ease the 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 the demand shortfall. The estimated daily operating costs per bus exceeds Rs61,000, placing the total daily expenditure of the fleet at over Rs61 million, with monthly costs expected 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 continue, urging citizens to switch to public transport as a more affordable and energy-efficient alternative.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced a relief package for farmers, especially those who grow wheat. Under the initiative, financial assistance will be provided to farmers owning up to 25 hectares of land with a subsidy of Rs150 per liter on 10 liters of diesel per hectare.
