Prolonged closure leaves MBS busses in a shambles

Metro Bus terminals infested with bats and rodents

RAWALPINDI: The condition of busses used by the Metro Bus Service (MBS) has started to deteriorate due to their prolonged closure following the lockdown, imposed for preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The shiny red buses, which once darted on their designated track, hauling citizens from terminal to terminal, have been standing idle gathering dust and rust for over three months now.

Due to the closure of MBS, the terminals have started to look like haunted houses infested bats, pigeons, and rodents. Moreover, due to lack of maintenance, the roofs of the bus stations have started dripping in the rain.

Rainwater was also seen collecting on many segments of the MBS track, which has no drainage system. The water also was seen dripping from the track onto the roads below for several hours after the rain had stopped.

Officials said that cleaning and maintenance system of MBS has been completely disrupted. As long as the service remains closed, the MBS administration will not receive any government subsidy.

Last year, the government increased ticket prices for MBS while reducing subsidies by 25 per cent. The government is seriously considering a proposal to raise fares for metro bus services, along with a review of petroleum prices later this month.

When the fare was increased last year, it was also announced that the rent would be increased by another Rs10 in the next one or two years.

The government wants to increase the fare of metro bus service from Rawalpindi to Islamabad to Rs40 and from Saddar to Faizabad to Rs30 Implementing this proposal will reduce the amount of government subsidy by 50 to 60 per cent.

Government has also started reviewing restoration of an old wagon, minibus route from Saddar to Islamabad via the entire Murree Road and from Liaquat Bagh Chowk, Murree Road to Bari Imam.

With the restoration of these two routes, there will be a trend of competition in public transport from Rawalpindi to Islamabad and fares will also be reduced. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2020.