The move aims to provide direct relief to people struggling with daily travel costs.
The decision was taken in a high-level meeting where officials reviewed the impact of fuel prices on transport fares. Different options were discussed to reduce financial pressure on the public.
As part of the plan, pilot projects have been launched in Gujranwala, Multan, and Sialkot. Authorities have also been directed to submit a report within 24 hours on per kilometer fares.
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The meeting also focused on controlling prices of daily essentials across Punjab. Officials reviewed rates of 23 important food items including vegetables, fruits, and pulses.
It was shared that flour prices in Punjab are lower compared to other provinces. The difference stands at Rs427 with Sindh, Rs823 with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Rs790 with Balochistan.
Authorities were ordered to review official rates and take strict action against overpricing. Steps were also directed to control LPG prices and stop hoarding of essential goods.
The public was advised not to buy items at higher than official prices. Enforcement teams were told to ensure strict implementation of government rates.
Maryam Nawaz also issued instructions to improve sanitation, plantation, and street lighting across Punjab. Ongoing beautification projects were reviewed with a deadline set for completion by June.
While some projects were appreciated, concerns were raised over poor sanitation in areas like Jhang. Officials were told to address these issues without delay.
The chief minister also expressed concern over public safety, especially deaths caused by open drainage. Orders were given to survey stagnant water areas and ensure strict monitoring.
Commissioners have been directed to submit daily reports with photographs. Deputy commissioners will be held responsible for unsafe conditions in their areas.
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The government has set a two-week deadline to improve cleanliness across the province. Special cleaning drives in graveyards will also restart under the Suthra Punjab program.
To improve monitoring, digital mapping with AI support has been introduced. This system will track sanitation workers in real time across union councils.
This decision shows the government is trying to give quick relief to people. Free transport can reduce daily expenses for many families. But strict monitoring will be key for success. Without proper checks, price control and sanitation plans may not fully work.
After Lahore, PTC plans to expand its operations to all divisions of Punjab, exercising its Regional Transport Authority (RTA) powers invested by the competent authority. In the first phase, divisional offices will established in Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, and gradually these powers will be extended to all Divisions of the Punjab province.
PTC is conducting feasibility studies to assess the transport demand on urban bus routes in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Sheikhupura and Sialkot. The company plans to introduce diesel hybrid/electric buses in these cities soon.
PTC plans to run a pilot project of Electric Buses in Lahore. The pilot aims to run 27 electric buses on the route from Green Town to the Railway Station, this is to assess the performance of electric buses in local conditions and investigate the possibility of introducing electric buses on a larger scale throughout the province.
The AFC-BSS aims to improve the efficiency and delivery of public transport service through automated fare collection, information about travel data and optimizing bus scheduling for streamlined operations of buses. The system will also provide bus information to passengers via mobile application through Vehicle Location Systems.
