Metro bus staff complains of low pay

Rawalpindi: Although the Punjab government resolved the longstanding problem of the commuters of the twin cities of Rawalpindi-Islamabad by providing them a modern transport system in the form of Metro Bus Service some three years ago, however, the staff linked with Metro Bus Authority is unhappy over the salary structure.

Talking to this correspondent, a number of metro staffers on condition of anonymity admitted that they are paid lesser amount as compared to the salary fixed in their contracts. “At the time of joining the services an amount of Rs33,000 was fixed as monthly salary . However, we are only paid Rs15,000 per month. It is unjust that against the terms and conditions we are getting little amount against salaries than the fixed one,” a beleaguered staffer of Metro Bus Service said.

They also alleged that despite serving for past over three years, their services were yet to be regularised. Whenever, we hold meetings with the concerned officials for regularisation of our services and getting increase in our pay, we are only given hollow assurances, the employees claimed.

Similarly, the concerned quarters as well as management seem least bothered towards maintenance of metro buses stations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad . The passengers expressed concern over the out of order escalators and lifts at several bus stations. Old people, handicapped have to avail the access of stairs for reaching ticket booths and to board buses to reach their destinations. At the time of launching Metro Bus Service in twin cities, the then chairman of this body had assured to increase the number of buses from 65 to 100. However, three years have elapsed no increase in the number of buses have been made. With the increase in number of passengers, the number of 65 metro buses is insufficient to meet the demand of people.

The Punjab government should give a serious thought to bring more buses on platforms to cater to the need of passengers. Because of insufficient number of buses plying, large queues of passengers could be seen at ticket booths and inside the buses. A large number of passengers who board the buses travel by standing to reach their destination. Last but not the least, the condition of floors of metro stations are also deteriorating as one could see broken tiles clearly which speaks volume about the inefficiency as well as failure of the management to carry out repair and maintenance work.

The staff members and passengers believed that if attention is not paid towards repair and maintenance work of buses and stations then there is great possibility Metro Bus Services would meet the fate of GTS buses which once had been providing good transport services to the public but now has completely vanished from the scene only because of the inefficiency and failure of its concerned authorities.