Metro Bus fares being adjusted in line with fuel price

MULTAN: Provincial Minister for Transport Jahanzeb Khan Khichi said that fares of Metro Bus Service in Lahore and Rawalpindi would be adjusted in line with fuel prices.

However, the fare of Multan Metro Buses would remain the same. He said this while talking to the media on occasion of opening of Speedo Bus transportation facility on cash payment.

Earlier, the commuters having Metro Bus cards only, were allowed to travel by Speedo buses. Now, the citizens would pay cash directly to bus conductors and travel to different destinations in the city.

The Provincial Minister further remarked that the government was faced with losses on routes of Speedo Buses. Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar had directed to improve the service delivery, he said. The direct cash payment would not only facilitate the citizens but also help reduce losses. Jahanzeb Khichi also informed that routes of Speedo Buses would be extended further.

The government is also working to expand transport services delivery area to other cities, he said and added that a pilot project would soon be launched in DG Khan in this regard.

Speedo bus service has also been restored at Lodharan- Bhahawalpur route, he said. About 6000 students used to travel on these buses on daily basis, he added.

Responding to a question on safety and drivers license issues, GM Metro Bus Service Uzair Shah informed that four persons died in different accidents of the buses for last six years. Two in Rawalpindi, one each in Lahore and Multan. The drivers are well trained and special focus is being made on safety of public. He apprised that Metro Bus Service caused death of 26 citizens in one year in India.

To another question about regularization of employees of MBS, the GM informed they were working on contract basis. He informed that the service was being managed through outsource model and in this way, the employees performed better as they could not make unions and work with more commitment.

On this occasion, local MPAs Salman Naeem, Waseem Khan Badozai, Javed Akhtar Ansari, Commissioner Multan Imran Sikandar and others were also present.