ISLAMABAD: Citizens, private employees, students, and daily commuters have demanded that the government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) immediately reduce the fare from 90 rupees to 40 rupees for the Islamabad airport metro.
Liaqat Khan resident of Top City, Islamabad, said that the current fare on the Airport Metro route is higher than that of ordinary metro routes, due to which daily commuters are under severe financial pressure. He said that according to passengers, it has become difficult to bear the expensive metro fare after the increase in inflation, fuel prices, and other expenses.
Public circles said that the Metro Bus project was started as a public facility to provide cheap, safe, and fast travel to the citizens; however, due to high fares, the Airport Metro Bus is deviating from this purpose. Citizens have demanded that the fare for the Airport Metro be reduced to be in line with other metro bus routes.
Students and low-income employees said that more money is being spent on daily round-trip travel, which is negatively affecting their monthly budget. Many passengers have started adopting alternative means of travel, due to which there is also a fear of a decrease in the number of passengers on the metro bus.
Social organizations and civic representatives have also demanded that the government take public pressure seriously and provide relief to the public by reducing metro fares. They said that the reduction in fares will not only provide convenience to the public but will also increase the number of passengers on the metro bus.
According to officials, public complaints and demands have been conveyed to the relevant authorities, and various proposals regarding the reduction in airport metro fares are under consideration. Officials say that the final decision will be taken after consultation, which is expected to be announced soon.
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