ISLAMABAD: Following a massive increase of Rs55 per litre in petroleum product prices, transport fares across the board have risen by up to 20%, as goods transporters, passenger buses, private taxi operators, Pakistan Railways, as well as airlines have increased their fares. An anecdotal survey conducted by Business Recorder here on Saturday revealed that public transport ticket prices on major routes from Islamabad to Lahore have increased by Rs300 to Rs600. Skyways and other normal bus services have raised fares from Rs1,700 per seat to Rs2,100, while Faisal Movers increased fares from Rs2,050 to Rs2,600. Buses operating between Islamabad and Peshawar have increased fares from Rs800 to Rs1,000, while fares between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad have risen from Rs750 to Rs900. Private taxi and rickshaw operators in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have also increased fares by around 20. A taxi ride costing Rs700 from Rawalpindi Railway Station to Zero Point Islamabad now charges Rs850, while the fare from Faizabad to Islamabad Airport is increased to Rs1,200, compared to Rs1,000 prior to the hike in petrol prices. READ ALSO: Pakistan govt hikes petrol, diesel prices by massive Rs55 per litre each Rickshaws and motorcycle rickshaws operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad have also raised fares following the increase in petroleum prices. For instance, a rickshaw that previously charged Rs400 from Raja Bazaar Rawalpindi to Khanapul area of Islamabad now costs Rs500. Minibuses, vans, and motorcycle rickshaws have also increased stop-to-stop fares from Rs30 to Rs40. Fares from Islamabad to Sargodha have been raised from Rs1,300 to Rs1,550, while tickets from Islamabad to Faisalabad now stand at Rs1,950, compared to Rs1,750 previously. Similarly, fare of buses services operating between Islamabad and Karachi now charge Rs7,500 per passenger, up from Rs7,000, while luxury bus services charge Rs9,000, compared to Rs8,000 earlier. Fares from Islamabad to Hyderabad have increased to Rs8,500 from Rs8,000, from Islamabad to Rahim Yar Khan to Rs4,250 from Rs4,000, and from Islamabad to Murree to Rs3,300 from Rs2,790. Passengers at bus terminals said rising fares are compounding the difficulties caused by the current inflationary wave. They said that if the trend continues, they will be forced to spend more on travel during the upcoming Eid, leaving them with less money for their families. “Even travelling for family or personal matters has become a serious challenge,” said one commuter. Transport operators; however, justified the fare hikes, citing rising diesel prices and increased costs of spare parts. “Without raising fares, we would be forced to stop operations,” a bus operator said. The Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance has also announced a 20 percent increase in freight charges nationwide following the fuel price hike, warning of a potential transport shutdown if their agreements with the government are not implemented. Pakistan Railways has also announced fare adjustments following a 20 percent increase in diesel prices, with economy class fares rising by 5 percent, AC class by 10 percent, and goods train charges by 20 percent. The revised fares will take effect from March 9, 2026, excluding tickets already booked. Pakistan Railways said the adjustments were necessary to absorb rising operational costs. Airlines have also increased fares in line with the rise in fuel prices. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026