Urban Transport

Published: VIEWPOINT (LAHORE, May 06,1979)
Written by Muhammad Tufail Mirza

OUR problems are so many in number that if we start counting them, we may, perhaps, fail to complete the list. However, despite frustrations in the past experienced in moving the authorities to action, I cannot but raise the transport issue again and again. Big cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi are worst hit by transport problems. Karachi is lucky to have at least the facility of private transporters, but in Lahore and other big cities, the Urban Transport has full monopoly. This autonomous department enjoys absolute powers, and yet it is always grumbling about losses, And why should it not run in loss when from conductor to high-ranking officer, everyone tampers with the income of this department? It is no more secret that only a small part of the daily income goes into the Corporation's kitty. 
It has become almost a tradition that when we talk of corruption in any department, the department concerned asks us to hold our tongue by putting a questions if there is any department which can claim to be free from corruption and, thus, the objection is filed. We can only regret at this callous attitude. One can reform on self only by realizing one's shortcomings and by self-criticism. 
A private transporter, even in the presence of high competition, earns enough not only to richly feed his family but adds to his fleet of buses every year. Along with other expenses, they have to please the traffic police with undue gratification, whereas the Urban Transport has no such problem. One thing very interesting I am reminded of here is that the Government has forbidden the private transporters to ply their buses for local purposes, but the district authorities with the gracious help of traffic police have given a free rein to the transporters who ply buses on Lahore-Kasur route, who transgress all laws and norms of human behavior. They enjoy every facility even at the risk of human dignity and life. This is the only route where even tickets are not issued, and conductors bravely break laws.
Coming back to Urban Transport, the public has at least the right to question if this department is short of funds and is always running in loss. Why does it not give its business to the private transporters on a control and commission basis? In this way it will not only save itself from the danger of loss, but will stand to profit also. The collection of toll tax at Ravi and such other bridges is in private hands, and the Government gets the lump sum amount in advance. Can't we try this experience, providing remedy to the urban transport and alleviation transport problems of the general public?   

By Muhammad Tufail Mirza.