IISLAMABAD: n a major relief for tens of thousands of daily commuters, the federal government has reversed the recent 100% hike in metro bus fares for Islamabad, restoring the fare to Rs50.
The rollback came on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, just days after the fare increase came into effect and drew significant backlash.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had earlier announced that, effective June 1, fares for all government-run bus services—including the Orange, Green, Blue, and Electric lines—would rise from Rs50 to Rs100. The decision, however, sparked widespread public and media criticism, especially with Eid-ul-Adha approaching and the fare hike affecting over 90,000 daily passengers.
The fare increase had initially been reported by Samaa TV on May 24, prompting an outcry that led to the CDA temporarily suspending the hike. Despite the public reaction, the fare increase was formally notified on June 1, reigniting the controversy.
Responding to the backlash, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the meeting, the PM called the increase “unjustified”, stressing that such a move would “spoil the joys of Eid for the people.”
“Citizens are already under pressure from inflation. Hiking fares right before Eid is unacceptable,” the Prime Minister reportedly told officials, instructing the CDA to immediately withdraw the fare hike.
Following his directives, the CDA issued a new notification cancelling the increase, officially reinstating the Rs50 fare for all metro bus services across the capital.
The decision has been widely welcomed by commuters, offering some economic relief amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
