KPUMA mulling to hike fares of BRT in Peshawar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Urban Mobility Authority (KPUMA) has proposed to hike fares for Bus Rapid transit (BRT) service to control the annual deficit. 

Sources revealed that the annual deficit surged to Rs6 billion and to control the losses the officials have been mulling over many options, including increasing fares.

The privy sources quoted the recommendations presented by the authority, showing that the increase of Rs5 in fare would generate additional revenue of Rs6.7 million annually, while a hike of Rs10 could lead the revenue to Rs1.36 billion. 

It added that despite the swelling number of commuters in BRT, the authority did not step back from providing subsidy, as they have been taking Rs28 as fare instead of Rs80, an actual expense per passenger. 

The authority said that the it has been providing Rs32 relief to each commuter using BRT to reach their destination. As the rapid transport service consumes fuel of Rs200 million in a month.

However, the authority has been seeking more recommendations besides the said hike in fare. As per the sources, the aforementioned proposal was presented to the caretaker government, but they left the decision on the elected government.

The financial advisor to CM KP insisted hike in fares and said it was necessary because of the high inflation rate. The KPUMA has also been deliberating the ways to control the expenses of BRT. In this regard, it directed the Peshawar transport authority to shrink the expenses.

Chief Executive Officer Trans Peshawar Tariq Usman said the loss of BRT widened due to not increasing the fares, electricity and diesel prices were doubled in two years but the fare was not increased.