Petrol drops, fares play catch-up

Following the government's recent reduction in petrol prices, fares for six- and nine-seater rickshaws on several routes have come down by Rs10 to Rs20. Similarly, motorcycle ride services have also lowered their fares by Rs30 to Rs50. The reduced fares have come into effect with immediate effect. According to rickshaw unions and transport authorities, fare adjustments—whether increases or decreases—are often made by drivers at their own discretion. A survey conducted by The Express Tribune reviewed fare trends after the fuel price reduction. According to the survey, in Liaquatabad, six-seater rickshaw driver Faisal Khan said that both petrol- and LPG-powered rickshaws operate on various routes across Karachi. He explained that after earlier fuel price hikes, fares were increased by Rs10 to Rs30 depending on distance, with some fares rising from Rs30 to Rs100 or more. However, after recent cut in petrol prices, fares have now been reduced by Rs10 to Rs20 on different routes. In Qayyumabad, Kashan Ali, an LPG-powered three-seater rickshaw driver, said fares on his route to Liaquatabad have been reduced. He added that further reductions are possible if LPG prices decrease. Meanwhile, in New Karachi, rickshaw driver Saleem Ahmed said that fares on several routes remain unchanged at Rs60 per passenger. Residents also shared mixed experiences. Baqar Raza from Orangi Town said that some drivers have reduced fares by Rs10, and by up to Rs20 for longer distances, while others continue to charge previous rates. In contrast, New Karachi resident Ehtesham Khan complained that many rickshaw drivers have not reduced fares despite cut in petrol prices, calling it unfair to the public. Motorcycle ride services have also seen some adjustments. Hassan Shah, a rider in Nazimabad, said that business had declined when fuel prices increased, but with recent reductions, fares for short, medium, and long distances have dropped by Rs30 to Rs50. Zubair Iftikhar, a resident of Karimabad who regularly uses bike rides, said that fares from Nazimabad to Karimabad have decreased by Rs30 when negotiated directly with riders. However, he noted that app-based motorcycle ride services have not reduced their fares. Another commuter, Sohail Naseer, urged further cuts in petrol prices, stating that his monthly transportation expenses have increased by Rs3,000 due to reliance on bike ride services, while his income has remained unchanged, putting pressure on his budget. Chairman of the All Karachi Motor Cab Rickshaw Association, Imran Zaidi, said that some drivers are arbitrarily adjusting fares by citing fuel prices. He clarified that fare changes should be implemented according to official government notifications, and that the union has not issued any directive for fare revisions. Officials from the Transport Department stated that there has been no official increase in public transport fares and warned that legal action would be taken against those charging excessive fares.