RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The natives of other cities doing jobs in the twin cities on Tuesday were being fleeced by transporters by charging extra fares for their journey to their native areas to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their near and dear ones.
All bus and wagon terminals were jam-packed with passengers. Most of them had to travel through buses and coaches because of heavy load on trains. The passengers were seen wandering from one terminal to the other to find a berth in the buses and wagons.
Many passengers at bus stands of Pirwadhai, Peshawar Mor, Hamrahi Wagon and Bus Stand, Faizabad Bus and Wagon Stand, and Soan Wagon and Bus Stand complained of overcharging by the transporters, who they said, were taking full advantage of the special occasion of Eidul Fitr without fear of any action from the authorities concerned.
Nuzhat, who was waiting for a bus at Faizabad Bus Stand, said that transporters were even charging full seat fare for luggage and kids. Wajid at Soan Wagon Stand said that his family was leaving for Sialkot to celebrate Eidul Fitr there, but the transporters charged them exorbitant fare.
Meanwhile, the District Regional Transport Authority (DRTA) and City Traffic Police said that special teams had been formed for checking fare violations.
The teams were visiting all the terminals to check all kinds of violations by the transporters, they claimed.
They said that the passengers should note the number of bus/wagon in case of over-charging or misbehavior etc. and inform the authorities concerned. Stern action would be taken against them, they assured.
The Secretary RTA Rawalpindi said the passengers could register their complaints at a control room set up in this regard with telephone number 9270011. A three-member special team had also been formed to keep check on transporters plying on inter-city routes during Eidul Fitr, he added.
Source: APP
