Pre-empting potential unrest in Islamabad’s red zone, authorities have temporarily halted the metro bus service from Rawalpindi’s Saddar station to Faizabad station.
The sudden disruption has left commuters bound for the federal capital grappling with significant inconvenience. Metro bus officials announced the restriction following yesterday’s protests at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
They said, the service suspension, effective from 3pm, aimed at safeguarding both buses and passengers. “Metro buses will not be permitted entry into Islamabad until further notice,” they said, adding that complete restoration of the service hinged on assurances from the Islamabad administration.
On the other hand, with limited metro bus options, passengers are encountering considerable challenges. D-Chowk Metro Station remains shuttered, compelling commuters between the twin cities to resort to conventional public transport.
In response to the surge in demand, public transport operators have substantially hiked fares, adding to commuters’ woes. The frustrated passengers have urged the administration to promptly reinstate the complete metro bus service to alleviate their commuting hardships.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2024.
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