Road blockades send bus fares soaring in Logar

PUL-I-ALAM (PAN): Residents of central Logar province on Thursday said they faced numerous problems after heavy snowfall blocked several highways, sending public transport fares soaring.

“Before the snowfall, I would pay 40 afghanis ($0.80) as bus fare from my village to the city, but now the fare rose to 80afs,” Shakir, a resident of Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital, said.

It was difficult for him to find a passenger vehicle for travelling to the city as most of traffic stayed off roads due to bad weather conditions, he said.  Since most of the roads had been blocked, drivers wanted to take advantage of the situation, he said.

The fare from Kabul to Logar was increased to 220afs from the previous 120afs, another resident of Pul-i-Alam, said. “We have no option, but to pay the high fare because it is impossible to remain in open for hours in the chilly weather,” Jamshid said.

Traffic department head, Abdul Rahman, also confirmed public transport fares had been increased by drivers, saying they had taken some steps in this regard.

He said the lack of vehicles on roads sent the fares soaring as vehicles had been unable to ply the Kabul- Logar highway due to icy conditions. He said cars consumed more fuel in cold weather that also led drivers to increase fares.

frm/ma

Visits: 2