With the quickly crumbling service of Pakistan Railways, the commuter burden is shifting to private transport, Pakistan Today learned on Friday. Thousands of people might be deprived of celebrating Eid with their family members as no special Eid trains would run this Ramadan but the Punjab government and Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has taken no action on the situation so far.
Delays is train schedules has been a permanent feature of Pakistan Railways for the last several years, but now, the shortage of trains and carriages has heightened the miseries of passengers with no hope in near future for any improvement. According to an estimate, over 3.5 million people belonging to various parts of the province are leaving Lahore to celebrate Eid with their families in their hometowns. As Pakistan Railways has shut down more than 60 trains moving on branch lines, people living in small cities and towns are being directly affected because of shortages and delays in train schedules.
Consequently, a large number of commuters are turning to private transport to reach their hometowns in time. To facilitate the commuters, the Pakistan Railways must focus on trains moving on main lines rather than branch lines. On the other hand, private transporters are busy minting money by charging commuters 20 to 50 percent above the normal fare as the passengers throng the main bus stands to leave the city for their homes in other parts of the country. The RTA is only a silent spectator in the situation.
Bus fares have increased uniformly across all main bus stands in the city and the commuters have no option but to pay high fares to reach the desired destination. An RTA official said the authority fixed fares for only non-air conditioned buses; the Punjab government did not pass any law about air-conditioned buses or coaches. He said the RTA had already started action against transporters who were over-charging and fines would be imposed on violators.
Punjab University student Sajjad, resident of Narowal, told Pakistan Today: “I always preferred train journey but it is alarming that Pakistan Railways has closed down Lahore-Narowal trains. Now I will have to travel by bus.” He said the citizens were already facing so many problems and over-charging by transporters was another burden on them. The government and authorities concerned should take immediate step regarding the transport issue, he said.
