Transporters raise fares by 20pc in Punjab after fuel hike.

LAHORE -- Punjab's transporters on Saturday raised fares by 20 per cent after the federal government increased the petrol price by Rs25.58 per liter.

Inter-city bus travel is now more expensive.

A liter of petrol will now sell for a little over Rs100 again. The price of high speed diesel has been increased by Rs21.31, according to a notification issued by the Finance Division. The prices of kerosene and light diesel oil have gone up by Rs23.50 and Rs17.84, respectively.

'If you're going to increase prices so much and so suddenly, obviously we will have to increase fares,' said one transporter.

Another driver said the cost of a one-way trip has gone up by Rs3,000-Rs4,000 because diesel prices have gone up. 'We haven't been able to get diesel for two days,' he said.

Passengers say they were already troubled by the outbreak and now the increase in fares will make things more difficult.

'They've doubled the fares. No one is around to ask about the poor,' said one passenger.

No government official from the petroleum ministry was available for a comment.

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