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Karachi’s public transport deciding to go ‘private’

* Transporters leaving for other parts of the country after converting their vehicles into goods carriers
* No new bus, mini bus or coach added to current fleet sine 2002

Staff Report

KARACHI: In a growing trend, transporters, with their vehicles and business, are leaving Karachi for other more lucrative parts of Pakistan. So far, 8,500 vehicles have moved from the city since 2002. The traffic police, vehicle inspectors, rioters and increasing fuel prices in the city make it impossible for them to sustain their business here, learnt Daily Times.

According to some of the transporters, almost eight vehicles are shifted from Karachi to other cities daily after being converted into goods carrying vehicles. There has been no addition to the public transport, minibuses or coaches, in the city since 2002.

They added that former Sindh Transport Minister Adil Siddiqui, who took serious notice of this issue, had directed the Sindh secretary transport to take effective measures to prevent the reduction in public transport vehicles and their conversion into goods carriers.

District Road Transport Authority Secretary Malik Saeed and the local excise and taxation department are issuing no objection certificates (NOC) to owners of public transport vehicles for Rs 20,000 for the conversion of the vehicle, alleged transporters.

Transporters told Daily Times that they are the first victims of any public protest and the traffic police is also constantly targeting them for bribes and undue challans. By converting public transport vehicles into goods carrying vehicles, the owners have secured their vehicles. They do not have to face trouble on roads and can safely earn their living, they claimed.

When asked why they give the police a chance to catch them, they replied that people climb to the roofs of the buses on their own accord because of the serious shortage of public transport. Karachi needs a fleet big enough to ensure that workers get home and to work on time.

The Sindh minister for transport had previously told Daily Times that the transporters had been violating the traffic rules and regulations. However, he also stated that almost 90 percent of the dumpers and lifters in the city were on the roads without a route permit.

There are road accidents every day because of the shabby condition of the buses, minibuses and coaches. Only about 15 percent of them have proper seats, railings for standing passengers and doors. Most don’t have fitness certificates.

According to the data from the Sindh Excise and Taxation Department (ETD) and Road Transport Authority (RTA), Sindh, the number of vehicles in the city has continuously decreased. If the situation persists, there will be a massive shortage of public transport.

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