Metro Bus Service to end woes of commuters

Rawalpindi
The Metro Bus Service (MBS) will start in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad under the full command of the Punjab government.
All arrangements have been finalised to start the Metro Bus Service (MBS) in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on May 23.
Ticketing booths have been established at necessary points while all kinds of staff have also been hired.
Previously, all governments had miserably failed to provide a ‘respectable’ public transport to the residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Commuters of all age groups ran after wagons, pickups and taxicabs to reach their destinations every day, particularly during office and school timings. There was no organised inter-city public transport system in place, and wagons, pickups and auto-rickshaws run by private transporters were relied upon to fill the gap in this regard.
Though the authorities had assured the residents of starting a decent inter-city public transport system, yet all promises remained only lip service, before the start of this project by the present government. The commuters particularly travelling between Rawalpindi and Islamabad used to face worst kind of humiliation every day.
The locals repeatedly complained about the highhandedness of transporters, particularly those plying vehicles on route numbers 1, 1-C, 7 and 21 regarding overloading and overcharging.
A recent survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed that as many as 21 passengers are cramped into one wagon that is originally meant for 14 persons. Particularly for female passengers, the agony is all the more severe.
Meanwhile, in the absence of a suitable mode of public transport, people are being forced to purchase their own vehicles, which is increasing traffic burden on the road infrastructure of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
According to the motor registration branch of Rawalpindi-Islamabad excise offices, everyday 13 new private vehicles and nine commercial vehicles are registered, while the number of motorcycles stands at around 15. The number is low because most people prefer registering their vehicles in the neighbouring Islamabad, which adds to the resale value of their cars and motorcycles.
“People are being forced to travel in inhuman conditions,” said Neelum Khurshid, who regularly commutes in public transport to reach her office in Islamabad. She said that the government has introduced Metro Bus Service on busy roads and it would go a long way in reducing woes of commuters.
A traffic warden said “A systematic bus service is going to be launched in the twin cities. It would ease congestion on roads and traffic would be much easier to manage, especially during rush hours.”
Farid Ahmed, a commuter, said that they face immense difficulties in catching a bus or wagon, particularly during office timings. “We have spent almost half of our lives running after wagons and buses,” he claimed. The Metro Bus Service is a blessing for the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad where public would travel with pride, he hoped.