Lack of CNG hampers public transport

Fewer passenger vans on K-P roads due to gas supply halt

RAWALPINDI:

The sudden termination of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) supplies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has disrupted the public transport system from the twin cities to the northern province.

Due to the stoppage of CNG supply, most transporters have parked their vehicles at the bus stops, prompting a shortage of vans at the capital’s main transport terminal in G-9 Markaz as well as at the bus stands in the garrison city.

Due to the shortage of public transport vehicles, numerous travellers are encountering severe problems as the transport vans were not completing their routes.

Sources said passengers including women, students and other commuters were compelled to wait in long queues due to shortage/unavailability of transportation.

Talking to The Express Tribune, public transporter, Muhammad Shahbaz Khan, said that more than 500 public transport vehicles, including buses, wagons, and coaches, operate daily between all cities of K-P and Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai General Bus Stand, Sawan Bus Terminal, and Mandi Mor Base.

“Hundreds of people travel daily through public transportation from K-P to Rawalpindi and Islamabad,” he said and added that the CNG stations in K-P have unexpectedly halted delivering the CNG, leaving all the transporters in a dire situation.

He added that the cost of automobile maintenance increased if petrol was used instead of CNG.

“The fares are set as per CNG so we cannot provide transportation facility at the present rates,” he explained.

He said there were only two solutions to the problem.

“Either CNG supply should be restored in K-P or the fares should be allowed to be increased according to the prices of petrol,” he said.

Meanwhile, a large number of passengers could not reach their destinations due to the shortage of vehicles at the Pirwadhai General Bus Stand and other bus stations.

Muhammad Sagheer, a passenger travelling from Rawalpindi to Abbottabad, said that he wanted to visit his family, however, upon reaching the Pirwadhai Bus Stand, he found out that the CNG stations were closed and the transport was not available.

“It has become a huge issue. The government should solve this problem immediately,” he demanded, adding many people were present at the bus stand but there was no vehicle.

Abdullah, a passenger, said that the transport managers of the stop increase the fares even with the minor hike in the prices of petroleum products. Still, they were unable to manage the situation when the CNG supply has been suspended.

He said that fares of long route vehicles are decided according to the prices of petrol and diesel, therefore, suspension of CNG should not affect the routine of routes.

Another passenger, Zubair Khan, said that it is an ethical responsibility of the transporters to facilitate the passengers with proper seating arrangement and manage a queue system on a first-come, first-served basis in difficult times like weekends, gazetted holidays and fuel issues.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP