A R ETURN journey between Karachi and Badin now costs nearly Rs3,000, mal(ing regular travel increasingly unaffordable.
The problem extends beyond excessive fares. Passengers frequently complain about unnecessary delays, overcrowded buses, recl(less driving, poor customer service, refusaltoissue proper tickets, and the absence of publicly displayed government-approved fare lists. With only a limited number of operators serving the route, commuters have little choice but to pay whatever fare is demanded.
Despite widespread public concern and numerous complaints, the authorities have yet to take effective action against transport operators accused ofovercharging passengers or violating their rights. This continued inaction has further emboldened some operators to increase fares without any fear of accountability.
Public concern has grown even stronger following a social media video in which a passenger on the Hyderabad-Karachi route was threatened after questioning the excessive fare he was being charged.
Such incidents underscore the urgent need for stronger government oversight and a safe, accessible complaint mechanism so that commuters can report grievances without fear of intimidation. The government should immediately conduct a province-wide review of intercity bus fares, strictly enforce officially approved fare schedules,ensure thatfarelists are prominently displayed at all bus terminals, establish an effective passenger complaint mechanism, and impose strict penalties on operatorsfound overcharging passengers or violating any transport regulation.
Shahid Ahmed Qureshi Badin