The Punjab government’s announcement of free ride-hailing services during the three days of Basant failed to materialize, leaving citizens frustrated as they were charged full fares despite official assurances of relief.

Authorities had earlier stated that tens of thousands of complimentary rickshaw rides would be offered daily as part of a special public facilitation initiative aimed at easing transportation during the festival. The promise was widely shared and welcomed by residents planning to attend Basant events across major cities.

However, commuters reported that ride-hailing services continued to charge standard fares throughout the festival period. Many passengers said they were unable to access any free rides, contradicting the government’s public statements and promotional claims.

Several residents shared their experiences on social media, expressing disappointment and confusion over the lack of coordination between government departments and ride-hailing operators. Some users reported being told by drivers that no official instructions regarding free rides had been communicated to them.

The situation raised questions about the implementation and oversight of the initiative. While the announcement suggested a large-scale relief effort, there appeared to be no visible mechanism to ensure that the promised free rides were actually delivered to the public.

Transportation experts noted that without clear guidelines, digital integration, or reimbursement arrangements for drivers, such initiatives are difficult to enforce. They stressed that policy announcements must be supported by operational planning to avoid public backlash.

The failure to implement the free ride scheme has added to broader concerns about accountability and transparency in public service delivery. Citizens have called on the Punjab government to clarify what went wrong and to ensure that future relief measures are properly executed.

As Basant celebrations conclude, many commuters say the episode has damaged public trust, underscoring the need for realistic promises and effective coordination between authorities and private service providers.