Key Takeaways
- Karachi’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has approved the installation of digital fare meters in rickshaws.
- The decision was made during an RTA Board meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Wednesday.
- Passengers will be able to see exact fares, making fare collection more transparent and accountable.
Karachi’s Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has taken a significant step towards addressing complaints of overcharging in the city by approving the installation of digital fare meters in rickshaws. This decision was made during an RTA Board meeting chaired by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi on Wednesday.
The proposed system will calculate fares automatically based on distance traveled, ensuring that passengers can see exact charges. This move is expected to increase transparency and accountability in the transport sector.
In addition to approving digital meters, the board reviewed the Sindh government’s proposed Karachi Mobility Project. The project aims to restructure the city’s bus route policy according to passenger demand and transport needs.
Commissioner Naqvi directed the RTA Secretariat to prioritize route permits for underserved and suburban areas where residents continue to face limited public transport options. He also instructed officials to discourage unnecessarily long intra-city bus routes, aiming to improve overall bus operations and convenience for commuters.
The meeting also discussed efforts to computerize traffic signals at five major intersections in the city. Work is already underway at PIDC, Sindh Club near Metropole Hotel, and Avari Towers. Upgrades at Teen Talwar and Boat Basin are expected to begin soon.
Officials informed Commissioner Naqvi that 12 of Karachi’s 16 previously non-functional traffic signals had been restored, while work on the remaining four was still in progress. These reforms are part of broader efforts to modernize Karachi’s transport infrastructure, improve traffic flow, and provide safer and more efficient services to commuters.
The implementation of digital meters is seen as a crucial step towards combating overcharging and improving public transport efficiency in Karachi. The RTA hopes that these measures will lead to fairer pricing and better service for all residents.
