The Punjab government has announced the withdrawal of free public transport services across the province, with fares set to be reinstated from Saturday, June 13. Under the decision, passengers will once again be required to purchase tickets for travel on the Orange Line Train, Metro Bus, Speedo Bus, and Green Electric Bus services.
Background of the Free Transport Initiative
The free transport facility was introduced as part of a provincial relief package aimed at easing the financial burden on citizens amid rising fuel prices and economic uncertainty. Initially announced for one month, the initiative was later extended. Officials stated that the previous fare structure for all four transport services would be restored from June 13.
Passenger Usage Statistics
According to official data, nearly 800,000 passengers availed the free transport facility daily. The Orange Line Train accounted for around 290,000 commuters each day, while more than 100,000 passengers travelled on the Metro Bus service free of charge.
Other Relief Measures
The relief package also included support measures for farmers, who were provided a diesel subsidy of Rs100 per litre per acre to help manage cultivation costs. In addition, registered motorcycle owners were given a subsidy of Rs100 on up to 20 litres of fuel as part of the government's efforts to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices.
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