KARACHI:
To provide convenient, cheap and efficient public transportation services to the citizen of Lahore, the PML-N government initiated the Lahore metro train. In 2007, the transport department of Punjab commissioned a consultant to develop a long-term mass transit network and undertake a feasibility study of a mass transit system for Lahore. One of the proposed plans was the Orange Line Metro Train, which would connect the east side of the city to the west. The plan was to lay a structure that would be elevated to avoid roadblocks. The train started its first commercial journey on 20th October 2020. It was estimated that 250,000 passengers would benefit from the service and the project would bring about much-needed profits and help in reducing pollution, traffic and travel time.
The burgeoning expenses of the metro train have however become a headache for the Punjab government. It has to bear the burden from the national exchequer and ultimately the public will have to suffer. Now, it is the time for the government to think outside the box and create other means of revenue generation. The Metro train has huge stations. With a proper plan, they can be used effectively. There are opportunities to make offices, shops or markets on the ground floors of these stations. The government can also set up an e-commerce platform where local buyers can enlist their products. Such a platform will not only help in bringing in foreign exchange but will also promote tourism activities online. People are now more attracted to visual content rather than text or audio because of its appeal and attractiveness. The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) can use the LCDs installed in the trains for advertisement purposes. Furthermore, creating a mobile application to locate buses and trains could be another excellent step. Linking this with e-payment options would prevent long queues at ticket counters.
Providing an affordable and accessible transport system is the responsibility of the government. Due to the high cost of the project, the government is forced to provide subsidies. But there are other means of revenue generation that the government has overlooked. We should utilise them in the best way possible.
Abdul Rahman
Sialkot
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2021.
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