CNG crisis keeps public transport off roads in capital

07 Jan, 2013

 

Commuters were seen at several bus stops waiting for public transport for hours specially during office hours. Only few lucky office goers could find privately run wagons and suzuki pick ups in the morning after a long wait.

 

Those who found public transport were compelled to travel in inhuman conditions in already filled up wagons and pick ups that circumvanted their routes and left passengers half the way back home in the evening.

 

Every city across the world enjoys a mass transit system but such facility is missing in Islamabad "The Beautiful," said a commuter.

 

Females commuters have to wait for a long time at various bus terminals because they have only two seats reserved for them and only allowed to be seated next to driver's seat.

 

However, there are a lot of areas where public transport is not available and people have to travel on taxis which neither have a meter system nor any specific rate per kilometer.

 

Bilal Ahmed, a passenger said that almost 21 passengers were being hauled into one wagon that has capacity to seat no more than 14.

 

Only selected passengers of nearest stop are allowed to be seated in public transport, a passenger added.

 

Khalid Mehmood a public transport driver told APP that due to non availability of CNG, it takes Rs 1000 to complete one round trip. "We cannot affore under the prevailing conditions", he added.

 

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2013

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