E-bus delays, crowding trouble commuters

The electric bus (e-bus) service operating between Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and Media Town, which was launched to provide citizens with a modern, comfortable and dignified mode of public transport, is currently causing difficulties for commuters rather than providing the intended convenience. Following the discontinuation of the No 136 bus service on the route, passenger pressure on the electric buses has increased exceptionally, while lengthy intervals between buses are further aggravating commuters' difficulties. Citizens say an electric bus arrives on the route approximately every 30 minutes, resulting in large numbers of passengers gathering while waiting for a bus. When a bus arrives, overcrowding becomes so severe that women, elderly people and children, in particular, face considerable difficulty. At times, passengers are unable to board because the bus has reached capacity and are forced to wait for the next service, resulting in wasted time and further inconvenience during their journey. Passengers of the route have urged the relevant authorities, particularly the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), to reduce the interval between electric buses on the Pims–Media Town route from 30 minutes to 10 minutes. They said this would help ease the growing pressure on the service and ensure that women and other commuters have access to dignified, safe and timely public transport. The success of a modern transport system depends not merely on introducing new buses, but on ensuring that an adequate number of vehicles are available and operate at suitable intervals according to passenger demand.