Metro Bus System (MBS), costing Rs 30 billion, has at last been inaugurated by the Chief Minister Punjab on 10 February, 2013, in the company of over 40 ambassadors of different countries, socio-political dignitaries and noted mediamen after hosting a splendid ceremony in this regard. The launch of the MBS has been a long dream of every Pakistani, especially Lahorites, which has now come true, with the untiring efforts and dedication of the Punjab government. The chief minister, while realising the problems of ever increasing congestion, pollution and traffic intensity in the rapidly growing urban centres, envisioned first Mass Transit System of Pakistan, which lately converted into MBS, for facilitating populace of the provincial capital.
This MBS is with the emphasis of moving people rather than vehicles. It is highly spacious, fast, comfortable, reliable, affordable and environment-friendly system of mass transit. Provision of quality public transport to all segments of society has been a hallmark for the chief minister’s mission. The MBS, a first revolutionary step in that mission, will be pursued in near future in other cities as well.
For the last 15 to 20 years, various studies undertaken, in the provincial metropolis identified Ferozepur Road to Ravi Road, up to Shahdarah, as the major public transport corridor, with daily passengers demand of up to 225,000 persons, with peak hour demand about 8,000 passengers per hour, per direction. Plans were drawn for implementation of 30km long metro rail project with exorbitant cost of Rs 250 billion. However, the project could not materialise due to non-availability of huge funds and other allied issues.
The much-hyped MBS project now seems to face problems due to indiscipline by some free riders and revellers of the city. The CM’s initiative for provision of cost free transport facilities has been much appreciated by all segments of society, but the public stampede and indiscipline witnessed at the MBS stations are resulting in damages of costly buses and other infrastructure, causing millions of rupees worth loss to the national exchequer.
Keeping the loss and damages being caused to the precious buses in view, a large number of Lahorites are appealing to the chief minister to review his decision for cost free transport facilities to the public and enforce reasonable bus fare/tickets for the public immediately so as to avoid further loss to the MBS.
