Bus Journey Of Karachi – Every Travel Becomes Memorable

Whenever you ask from the residence of the biggest city of Pakistan that how is the journey by bus in Karachi then people have different opinions. Someone say so difficult and tough, someone say that they enjoy this journey [I am also one of them ;-)]. Because you know people who are traveling in the buses of Karachi from a long time, now have accustomed and been very familiar with it. Because due to the condition of transport in Karachi, your every travel always becomes memorable :-). I tell you some conditions which make bus travel of Karachi exceptional from others.

First of all majority knows that the government has not set up a proper transport system in Karachi so far. The buses plying on the roads which you see are all private transport and the whole system is totally under custody of private transport union. Almost all the buses are in the model of 1970 (especially big buses that are called “Bed Ford”). They are still plying now which have completed their lives. Also, the condition of wagons and coaches are not so much different from big buses. Someone have teared silencer that becomes cause of air as well as noise pollution. The physical condition is also not so good. You know some buses have broken seats that affect the travel, leaking roofs that are big distress in rain, some windows without glass that increase that pain of public in winter season, etc.

After the condition, now I tell you some other different problems. Quantity of the buses is very less as compared to the public. That’s why you will find a huge crowd in the buses. Especially in the morning when people go and evening when they come back. Some people can’t get the bus just due to heavy load and crushing out. The people inside the bus are almost tied with each other. Whenever someone arrives to his destination then he quickly goes to the gate of the bus after crushing the huddled crowd that increases the suffering of others. Some bow up on the other’s foot then their argue starts which changes into fight sometimes. Traffic jam also plays a great role in the suffering of travelers. People tie in the bus many minutes (sometimes hours) and think that it will be a miracle if we arrive at home.

Star Line - one of the most crowded bus of Karachi

 Private bus owners also have a rule that affects the poor public. They have token system and at some bus stop in their routes where one or two men related to this bus route sit. When the bus arrives there then drivers stop the bus, take the token from those men and talk to them. Bus stands till 5 to 15 minutes [I have experienced 20 minutes too :-)]. Public who want to arrive as soon as possible shout on the drivers that why are you standing we have to arrive early on duty or home. Then drivers start argues with them that we have a set time, before or after it, we can’t go. This argue also changes into fight sometimes. Also, one more problem is the increasing prices of petrol and diesel due to which transporters increase charges. This problem is also directly affecting the public. They argue with the conductor that sometimes changes into fight :-) So whenever you visit in the buses of Karachi then this visit will definitely be memorable for you :-)

So whatever the problem(s) with the Karachi transport, the one and only which suffered and affected from these is the poor public of Karachi. I have also faced these situations and still facing. I travel in the bus with huge mob, sometimes climbs on the fence put back of the bus as well as on a roof. I am also a common citizen of this city. Now I have familiar with these travels. We just need to change the whole system of transport. City District Government Karachi (CDGK) should take the system of transport in its hand. But probably it can’t be possible because private transport union has become very powerful in the city. So if CDGK can’t hand over the system then atleast can try to make it better for the facility of citizens after joining hands with private transport union. What do you say readers?