New bus service

Sindh government has finally announced the launch of the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Karachi’s population has been growing exponentially. Scant resources, lack of funding and deteriorating civic services have broken the city and its people as officials are unable to meet the need of the 15-million-strong megacity. In particular, the transport system has long been left in a state of decay with broken roads, ill-planned construction of infrastructure and dilapidated public transport being a cause of immense misery for citizens.

A significant part of the population travels every morning from their homes, across the city, to industrial factories for their jobs. And every day they are drained and tormented by hours’ long travel. Recently, however, it seems that the Sindh government has turned a new leaf. After a grueling five-year wait, it has finally announced the launch of the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which is to be named after the great Abdul Sattar Edhi. Twenty air-conditioned buses — holding a cumulative capacity of 90 passengers — will run on route from Orangi Town to Board Office with four bus stations in between. Fares are expected to range within Rs10-20, making it easy on commuters’ pockets. This is indeed a significant development that will help uplift the transport sector by catering to 50,000 residents of Orangi Town, and many others. Being a diverse and densely populated city, an efficient and cohesive transport system is necessary to connect different regions in a cohesive manner in order to promote growth and connectivity.

This is not just necessary from an economic point of view, as transport of goods and essentials can be done more efficiently, but for social and environmental purposes as well. Collaboration and communication are at the heart of progress.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2022.

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