School Van Fares in Islamabad, Rawalpindi Rise up to 40% After Petrol Hike

What Happened

School van and private transport owners in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have increased monthly fares by up to 40 percent, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). APP said the increases followed a recent surge in petrol prices linked to Middle East tensions. The Express Tribune carried the same APP report.

Parents allege that van owners are demanding Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 extra per month without any regulatory check [2][3]. ProPakistani reported that parents said there was no regulatory oversight of these charges [1].

The reports differ on how much fares have risen. ProPakistani quoted one van operator who said owners had raised monthly fares by only Rs 1,500, which he considered justified [1]. APP and The Express Tribune did not give the Rs 1,500 figure [2][3].

Sidra, a mother of two, said her children’s van driver raised the monthly fare from Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 for a trip from G-10 to a school in F-7. She said the journey takes around 10 minutes [1][2][3]. She also said the government is giving a petrol subsidy for vehicles with engines up to 800cc, and that the increase was not justified [1][2][3].

Van owners defended the increases. One operator said rising petrol and CNG prices, vehicle maintenance and traffic challans had made it hard to run vans at previous fares [1][2][3]. He also said parents overlook fuel, driver salaries and the commissions that owners pay to schools [1].

Parents also said operators charge full fees during summer and winter vacations. Abdul Hanan, another parent, said: “They charge full fee even during summer and winter vacations” [2][3]. ProPakistani reported the same claim without naming him [1].

Who Is Affected

Parents whose children use school vans in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are affected by the higher monthly fares [1][2][3]. Sidra described the extra cost as unbearable for a middle-class family [2][3].

Sources say many schools sit three to five kilometres from students’ homes. ProPakistani said many schools are that distance from students’ homes [1], and APP said most schools are within a three to five kilometre radius [2][3].

Van owners and drivers are also affected, according to the operators’ accounts of their costs [1][2][3].