Speedo Bus Service follows in footsteps of predecessors

Suspending the service has seriously inconvenienced citizens, especially students

BAHAWALPUR:  

Public transport in Bahawalpur has taken another hit after the Speedo Bus Service has shut down. Funds amounting to millions have been spent in vain while residents face trouble getting from one spot to another.

Previously, the Punjab government had made an agreement with Niazi Express Bus Service to provide the citizens of Bahawalpur with public transport. The CNG Bus Service was started under the moniker of the Bahawalpur Transport Company. However, this project ultimately bit the dust as the buses now stand idle at Niazi Bus Stand.

After this disastrous turn of events, former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif started the Speedo Bus Service from Bahawalpur to Lodhran. However, just like its predecessor, this project has also failed.

According to the agreement that was made between the Punjab government and the Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service, the latter were supposed to provide staff and vehicles, while the former had to pay a subsidy for the first six months.

The contract ended on June 16 and since and has not been renewed since nor has the government made any payments. As a result, Daewoo Pakistan has suspended the service and retired the buses to the terminal.

The suspension of the bus service has seriously inconvenienced citizens, especially students, who used it to travel to and fro. The people have demanded that the government immediately restore the service.

Danish Sharif, a resident of Aziz Colony, says that the service was very convenient for him. “In just Rs20, I could get to my office near Islamia University, Baghdad Campus,” he explains. “Now, I have to use a rickshaw which is not very cost effective,” he adds.

Muhammad Arshad, a student at Islamia University, maintains that he used the service to commute from his home in Lodhran to the varsity and back. “Ever since they sealed the Speedo Bus Service, I have been traveling in local buses. Not only is this more expensive, but it also takes more time, he claims.

“The Speedo Bus Service was very convenient, it should be restored as soon as possible,” he pleads.

Ayesha Ahmad, a student at Government Sadiq Girl’s College and University, says that being a woman, it is very difficult and risky for her to change buses and rickshaws on a daily basis. Thanks to the Speedo Bus Service, her commute from her home to her college was safe and convenient. Now, her parents have to come all the way to pick her up which is troublesome for everybody.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, a government official, requesting anonymity, says that the service has been suspended because the government has not allocated funds nor have they completed payments. “As soon as the funds are issued, the service will resume,” he maintains.