KARACHI:
Access to education is often discussed in terms of tuition fees, scholarships and academic facilities. However, a critical barrier that frequently goes unnoticed is the cost and availability of transportation. For many students — particularly those from low-income households or those residing on the outskirts of urban centres — commuting poses a severe financial strain on their families. Getting to campus and back is a grueling daily challenge. Even when students secure admission and receive tuition aid, high fares, unreliable routes and safety concerns on public transit remain formidable obstacles.
As a student at a government college, I have witnessed classmates drop out midway through their degrees simply because they could not afford or safely manage the daily commute. The government and academic authorities must recognise transit accessibility as a core issue that demands immediate intervention. Commuter facilities for public institutions must be safe, affordable and tailored to students’ financial realities. Provincial governments should introduce subsidised student passes, reduced fares and dedicated shuttle services connecting rural areas directly to campuses. Given prevalent security concerns, providing well-guarded student buses is essential. Furthermore, general transit routes serving academic hubs should be upgraded to ensure better safety and accessibility.
Investing in education means more than just constructing buildings and distributing scholarships; it requires ensuring that underprivileged students can actually attend their classes regularly. Bridging this transit gap will open doors for those whose ambitions are currently capped not by their potential, but by financial and security constraints.
Zainab Awan
Sargodha
