Free commute brings citizens sigh of relief

Amid inflation fueled by tensions in the Middle East and a volatile international oil market, the free travel facility offered by the Punjab government as a relief measure for a month is benefiting diverse sections of the population across the province. A resident of Lahore who works in a private office, Mohammad Aslam, said while speaking to.The Express Tribune, "Before this initiative, a significant chunk of my salary was spent just on getting to work. With petroleum prices rising, I was terrified of how I would manage. This free travel facility has made my life easy; I can now divert those savings toward my children's school fees and groceries." A homemaker, Nasreen Bibi, said managing a household had become a nightmare due to inflation. "Every rupee counts now. The fact that I don't have to worry about bus fare when going to the market or visiting relatives is a huge blessing from the government," she remarked. The impact on the youth and female workforce has been particularly transformative. College student Areej Fatima said, "The anxiety of daily fares is gone. We can now travel safely and freely, which is a massive support for students from middle-class backgrounds." A professional, Sidra Nawaz, highlighted the safety aspect, "Free and secure transport for women is a positive change. It boosts our confidence to step out and contribute to the economy without fearing the rising costs of travel." However, despite the overwhelming success of the free bus service, the hike in fuel prices has created a ripple effect in the private sector. While the main arteries of Lahore offer free travel, the "last mile" connectivity remains a challenge. Citizens complained that rickshaws and ride-hailing apps have nearly doubled their fares. A commuter pointed out the critical gap, "If we have to take a rickshaw to reach the Metro station, that short trip now costs twice as much because of the petrol price hike. This partially offsets the benefit of the free bus."