Discourteous conduct of drivers irks commuters

Citizens lament overcharging, frequent altercations on intra-city routes

ISLAMABAD:

Despite the convenience brought by metro buses, residents of the twin cities continue to face challenges from the discourteous behaviour of public van drivers on intra-city routes.

Many passengers, including the elderly, complain about impolite conduct and time wastage on vehicles operating along the Islamabad Expressway. Concerned citizens are urging the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to address these issues promptly and deploy recently acquired electric buses to connect densely populated areas on the outskirts of the federal capital.

The CDA recently received the initial batch of 30 electric buses, part of a larger procurement of 160 buses from China, aimed at providing eco-friendly transportation. According to the CDA media wing, following an agreement regarding the procurement of 160 electric buses from China, the first batch of the 30 new zero-emission buses arrived at the Zero Point bus terminal. As announced, the second batch of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to arrive in February or March this year, and the denizens hope that it will be utilised to facilitate them.

Read: Women take the wheel of pink buses

Meanwhile, daily altercations over unfair charges persist in private vans, especially on routes like 136 and 124. Passengers report confrontations with illiterate conductors who fail to provide fare lists and often overcharge.

Ayesha Jabeen, a housewife, voiced concerns about the lack of checks on rude behaviour and overcrowding in public vans.

Issues also arise with CNG-equipped vans charging fares equivalent to those for petrol and diesel. Zubair Talha, a student, highlighted the absence of safety checks on CNG kits and the prolonged stops at various locations, causing unnecessary delays. Sajjad Azhar, a senior journalist, highlighted the need for electric buses to connect private societies around the Expressway with the metro bus network, providing relief to a significant population.

He specifically calls for the initiation of electric bus services from Bahria Town, linking various areas like Media Town, Police Foundation, PWD, Soan Garden, Pakistan Town, Jinnah Garden, Capital Enclave, and others with metro bus routes.

However, doubts linger among daily passengers regarding the immediate relief promised by the CDA's electric bus announcement.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2024