CPI Leader Slams Fuel Price Increases and Dynamic Pricing in Public Transport

Hyderabad: K. Narayana, a member of the CPI Central Executive Committee, has launched a scathing attack on fuel price hikes and the dynamic pricing model used by railways and airlines, terming them policies that work against public interests.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Narayana contended that successive fuel price increases are imposing severe financial strain on the average citizen. He attributed the volatility in global oil markets to international conflicts and mounting geopolitical tensions, suggesting that imperialist powers deliberately fuel such conflicts to drive up crude oil prices.

The CPI leader pointed out that both national and state governments are compounding the problem through various levies, taxes, and additional charges imposed on petroleum products. This approach, he argued, exacerbates the financial hardship experienced by ordinary people.

The resulting spike in fuel costs cascades through the economy, raising expenses for transport, rail travel, air tickets, and freight services. Narayana highlighted that the cost of essential goods and commodities also rises as a consequence of elevated fuel prices.

Turning his focus to the pricing mechanisms employed by transport operators, Narayana strongly objected to the dynamic fare system adopted by railways and airlines. These systems automatically adjust ticket prices based on passenger demand and booking activity, he noted. The model disproportionately affects middle-income and economically disadvantaged passengers, according to the CPI leader.

Narayana cited specific examples to illustrate the impact, pointing to railway fares between Hyderabad and Tirupati that have soared to approximately Rs 8,000, compared to their typical cost of just a few hundred rupees.

Describing the dynamic pricing approach as "organised looting disguised as market-based pricing," Narayana called for an immediate reassessment of fuel taxation policies. He further urged the Central Government to scrap dynamic fare mechanisms across all public transport networks.

The CPI leader emphasized that railway operations should prioritize public welfare over revenue generation and profit maximization.