LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to ensure reduction in transport fares in line with the cut in fuel prices, besides checking fitness of vehicles and stop overloading after Eid holidays.

The chief minister ordered a crackdown on those found involved in receiving excessive fares from the passengers in Lahore and other cities of the province.

She also directed the officials to ensure return of extra fares to passengers charged by transport owners, besides imposition of fine on the bus staff.

“The fitness of vehicles should be checked and those in need of repair should not be permitted to ply on the roads, as it may endanger the lives of passengers,” she said.

The CM said overloading of the buses should also not be allowed on any route.

Meanwhile, the district administration officials started checking of buses and asked the passengers about the fares being charged by visiting the bus stands in Khanewal, Multan, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Layyah and other districts across Punjab.

They directed the bus staff not to overcharge the passengers under any circumstance.

According to officials, the operation was launched in response to the public complaints about overcharging, overloading and poor condition of public transport.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2024