Careless wagon drivers on Pindi roads

Recently there has been an increase in self-centred wagon drivers on Rawalpindi roads. Drivers of 21-route wagons follow too closely, indulge in over-speeding, dangerous lane changes and show other forms of careless or thoughtless driving.
“Travelling in 21-route wagon is risky. Their drivers honk at others, go too fast into corners, and seem generally to be pretty wild. Can someone ask what is going on with the 21-route wagon drivers in Rawalpindi? Sometimes wagons just pull out in front of me. So the question is what has caused this change in their behaviour. Can someone please reverse it? So we can go back to the way it was -- with happy wagon drivers pleased to stop at 'stops'," says Munir Hussain, a government employee.
"Over the last three days I have been missed at least four times by 21-route wagon I wanted to catch. I was at the wagon stop last Saturday, I put my hand out to stop the wagon driver, and he slowed down and then kept driving. The wagon is the only one that passes the TCS stop where I was waiting," adds Munir.
Hasan Mangi, a social sector worker says: "Some 21-route wagon drivers are absolutely fabulous, helpful in every way, but there are always a few ill-tempered ones who should not be allowed on the road. It's a pity that they are not sorted out somehow as they need to take some lessons in customer care and dealing with the public."
"Yes, there are some odd bad 21-route wagon drivers but their job is not easy; traffic congestion, impolite people and pot-holed roads. I think they do a dam good job. It is entirely possible for them to be in the driving seat throughout the day without rest, without having time to stretch their legs," says Baqir Sajjad, a school teacher.
"There are too many 21-route wagon drivers affected by grumpy old man syndrome. They are surly, rude, drive erratically, leave passengers stumbling in the wagon as they take off before they sit down, are intolerant and make passengers suffer their choice of music whether they like it or not. These people should be removed from the job as no amount of feedback or training will improve their appalling lack of service skills. To those drivers - the minority -- who are polite, considerate and drive smoothly, thank you," says Zainab Hayat, a private form worker.
"The 21-route wagon drivers in the city are shocking. They drive off when passengers are running to catch the wagon. It's not about just one mistake though; it's a general attitude among them. They compromise the safety of passengers," laments Feroza Fatima, a college student.
Bagh Ali, a regular wagon user, says: "Over many years I have observed that there are great wagon drivers who do their job properly and well. Some are brilliant. However too many drivers seem mad and just will not respond to their passengers. They are hell bent on speed seeming to forget why they are driving a wagon at all. More training and weeding out the bad attitude drivers is essential to users' safety."
"The days of the friendly helpful wagon drivers seem to be over. Are these drivers so lacking in compassion they have to be instructed to be helpful? Some day they may be in a similar position, but it will be too late for an attitude change," says Duaye Haider, who runs a grocery shop.