The fare increase will affect passengers travelling on the metro bus networks operating in Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, and Multan. Officials said the new price will come into effect from March 26, 2026.
Authorities explained that the decision was taken due to the continuous rise in petroleum product prices. Higher fuel costs have increased the operational expenses of running the mass transit system.
According to officials, the government had been providing large subsidies to keep metro bus fares low. However, growing financial pressure forced authorities to review the existing fare structure.
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Previously, commuters were paying Rs30 per ride on the metro bus service. After the latest decision, the fare has increased by Rs10, raising the ticket price to Rs40.
Officials from the Punjab Mass Transit Authority said the revision aims to maintain smooth operations of the public transport system while managing rising costs.
Despite the increase, authorities have also introduced some relief for regular commuters. Passengers using the “T-cash card” will receive a discounted fare under a special subsidy scheme.
Under this arrangement, T-cash card holders will pay only Rs25 per ride instead of Rs40. This means they will receive a discount of Rs15 on each trip.
Officials believe the discounted digital payment option will encourage more commuters to use smart cards instead of cash payments.
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The metro bus service is widely used by students, workers, and daily travellers in Punjab’s major cities, making fare changes an important issue for thousands of people.
The government hopes the revised fare structure will help reduce financial pressure on the transport system while still providing some relief to frequent passengers.
Public transport systems often face rising costs when fuel prices increase. Governments sometimes raise fares to keep services running. However, discounts through digital cards may help regular commuters manage travel expenses.
