LAHORE – Commuters in Punjab will have to dig deeper into their pockets as the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) officially announced a hike in Metro Bus fares across three major cities.
Starting March 26, 2026, the one-way ticket price for the Metro Bus service in Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, and Multan will increase by Rs 10, bringing the new fare to Rs 40.
Why are fares increasing?
According to official sources, the decision was driven by two main factors:
- Rising Fuel Costs: Persistent increases in petroleum prices have significantly raised the operational costs of running the massive bus fleets.
- Subsidy Pressure: The Punjab government provides a heavy subsidy to keep the service affordable. However, due to the current economic climate, the financial burden on the provincial treasury had become unsustainable, forcing a revision of the fare structure.
New Fare Comparison (Effective March 26)
| Service Location | Old Fare | New Fare | Increase |
| Lahore Metro | Rs 30 | Rs 40 | Rs10 |
| Rawalpindi-Islamabad | Rs 30 | Rs 40 | Rs10 |
| Multan Metro | Rs 30 | Rs 40 | Rs10 |
Good News for Metro Card Holders
While the standard ticket price is going up, the Transit Authority has introduced a relief measure for frequent travellers.
Passengers using the T-Kash Card (Smart Card) will be eligible for a special subsidy. Under this scheme:
- Discounted Fare: Cardholders can travel for just Rs 25.
- Total Savings: This offers a Rs15 discount compared to the new standard cash fare.
Expert Tip: If you are a daily commuter, switching to a Metro Smart Card now will actually make your commute cheaper than the previous Rs30 flat rate.
Public Reaction
The news has been met with mixed emotions. While regular commuters expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, transport experts suggest that the Rs 25 incentive for cardholders is a smart move to digitise payments and reduce long queues at ticket counters.
