Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 29, 1429    

DCO directed to bring improvement in Metro Bus System

Karachi—Sindh Ombudsman Asad Ashraf Malik has directed DCO Karachi to either bring improvement in the Metro Bus System or reduce its fare to level of ordinary coach service.

Taking notice of a complaint regarding declining standard of service in metro buses, Mr. Malik observed that the service was introduced to provide a decent mode of transport at affordable fare. But, its standard declined due to in-attention to its affairs by the KPTS governing body, which has not met for years. The Ombudsman directed the DCO Karachi, who is chairperson of KPTS governing body, to convene a meeting within a month to resolve issues confronted by metro bus service.

Every effort should be made by the governing body to revive the service standards to the level that was maintained in past, he directed and added that in case the quality of service with existing fleet of vehicles could not be improved, then the body level of fares be reduced to the level of coaches.

The representatives of the transporters stated that at the start of service the diesel price was Rs. 9.80 per liter and the fare charged by them was Rs. 10 per passenger. They pointed out that at present the price of diesel had gone up to Rs. 47.20 per liter but the fare had risen only to Rs. 18, which was far behind the cost of running quality bus service.—APP