Sindh government will officially launch the application on November 30 that will help people track buses on different routes and allow passengers to make payments online.
Moreover, last week the fares of the People’s Bus Service (PBS) were increased after approval by Sindh’s government at a rate of 100%. It granted this permission to the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), the government organization in charge of running and maintaining the Public Broadcasting System, citing an increase in operating costs as a result of the route expansion.
It was reported by Dawn, who cited the?source?with knowledge of the development that the decision was made at a meeting of the fare adjustment committee. The Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA), the NRTC, and outside engineers attended the meeting.
Details indicate that the current maximum fare from Gulshan-e-Hadeed to the Tower is Rs. 100. The 58-kilometer extension has resulted in a 100% rise over the previous cost of Rs. 50.
Allah Wali Chowrangi in Gulshan-e-Hadeed serves as the starting point of the route, which travels through Steel Town, Port Qasim Chowrangi, Manzil Petrol Pump, Quaidabad, the Malir neighborhood, Malir Halt, Colony Gate, Natha Khan Bridge, Drigh Road Station, PAF Base Faisal, Lal Kothi, Karsaz, Nursery, FTC, Metropole, Karachi Press Club
Under the condition of anonymity, a representative of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) expressed concerns about rising costs even for shorter trips. For shorter trips, “they are no longer demanding Rs. 50 as a minimum charge,” he said.
He continued that, in response to rising fuel prices, NRTC will start raising fares on all PBS routes starting next month. People have also expressed their disapproval of the move to drastically raise bus tickets, arguing that the service would be useless if it charged the same as rickshaws and taxi cabs.