Metro Bus suspension irks commuters

RAWALPINDI:

Passengers travelling between Rawalpindi and Islamabad faced significant challenges on Wednesday as the Metro Bus Service was partially suspended without prior notice for track maintenance.

The Rawalpindi section, running from Saddar Station to IJP Station, was shut down, affecting thousands of daily commuters, including government and private employees, hospital patients, the elderly and women.

According to the Metro Bus Authority, the service was halted at 4pm for ongoing maintenance on the Rawalpindi main track, conducted by RDA and NESPAK. Meanwhile, the Islamabad section from IJP Station to Pakistan Secretariat Station continued to operate normally.

The Metro Bus Service serves over 125,000 passengers daily, and such unexpected disruptions greatly impact commuters' routines.

Frustrated passengers, including Imran Hayat, Gohar Ali and Saad, expressed their discontent over the abrupt suspension, urging the administration to provide advance notice for any schedule changes so they can make alternative arrangements.

The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is an 83.6km bus rapid transit system operating in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.