CNG bus project staring down the barrel

KARACHI: Thirty-five out of the 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses worth Rs220 million, that had been brought in by the City District Government Karachi in 2009 to facilitate commuting for people from Korangi to Surjani Town and Tower, are now standing on bricks at the CNG bus terminal in Surjani Town.

The CNG Bus Pilot Project had been inaugurated by Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on July 22, 2009, under which thousands of passengers were provided with a cheap and convenient transport services.

An e-ticketing system was also introduced for this project, under which, several e-ticketing booths and bus stops had been set up across the city.

The project, however, has now been abandoned, sources revealed, who added that most of the buses could not be run as their tyres had been worn out after a year-and-a-half long service. The cost of replacing the tyres was estimated at Rs5 million, after which the new CDGK government abandoned the project, claiming that it could not be sustained due to the “financial constraints” of the administration.

“The CNG buses have brought us nothing but losses. We are facing Rs145,000 in losses everyday just in refuelling [the buses],” said city administrator Lala Fazlur Rehman.

Sources at the CDGK transport department said, however, that they are facing losses of Rs300,000 every day since the bus service was shut down. The added that the remaining 15 buses, that run between Surjani Town and Tower, will also have to suspend their services if the situation does not improve.

Meanwhile, EDO Transport Iftikhar Qaimkhawani and CNG Bus Pilot Project director Muhammad Athar refused to comment on the issue.

People said that the CNG buses had provided a comfortable service and taking them away would create a number of problems in commuting between work and home as well as make a considerable difference in their travel expenses.

“It has become very difficult to go back and forth from Korangi after the CNG bus service was shut. What used to take 30 minutes to one hour now takes three to four hours,” said Khalil.

“I used to reach Nasir Colony in 15 to 20 minutes. Now it has become very difficult.  I have to wait for an hour or so just to catch a bus,” Ali Jan commented.

The men felt that the transportation service, which had started out as a successful project, has now failed due to the government’s negligence.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 12^th, 2010.