The government of Sindh has finalized a targeted public transport subsidy program aimed at stabilizing fares and providing relief to commuters, according to provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The minister said the initiative was introduced after rising petrol and diesel prices placed financial pressure on the transport sector.
Under the program, a “targeted fuel differential subsidy” will be provided to transporters to prevent fare increases and reduce the burden on the public.
Subsidy for intra-city and inter-city transport
Under the scheme, transporters will receive monthly financial assistance, provided they comply with government regulations and avoid increasing fares.
For intra-city transport, buses, minibuses, and coaches will receive up to Rs240,000 per month, while vans will receive up to Rs230,000 and Suzuki pickup vehicles up to Rs60,000.
For inter-city transport, buses will receive subsidies of up to Rs1.2 million per month, depending on routes, while vans will receive between Rs180,000 and Rs750,000, depending on distance.
Millions of passengers expected to benefit
The program will apply to more than 9,000 intra-city vehicles and 1,100 inter-city vehicles, benefiting around 57 million passengers every month.
Officials estimate the government will spend about Rs2.2 billion per month, providing an average relief of around Rs38 per passenger.
Digital system for transparency
To ensure transparency, the government has introduced a fully digital and app-based system for registration, verification, and payments.
Payments will be processed through Sindh Bank, while the system will be linked with data from the Excise Department, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Passenger feedback and inspections will also be part of the monitoring process.
Sharjeel Memon added that office hours have been extended until April 15 to increase registrations. Additionally, every motorcycle owner registered with the Excise Department will receive a fuel subsidy of Rs2,000 under the program.
