Patiala, India, climbing on top of buses

Students rue lack of public transport: "“It is very difficult to reach the college during the morning hours as all means of transport remain occupied due to augmented footfall of students. We have to climb atop private buses to attend the first lecture,” said Gurkirat Singh, a BA final-year student."

Lahore - poor workers cannot afford bus fare

The Express Tribune : "A regular passenger of the new service, Muhammad Amir, tells The Express Tribune that passengers have to literally beg conductors to let them come onboard as they cannot afford a Rs200 smartcard.

“The other day, an aged housemaid touched the conductor’s feet to get herself aboard a feeder bus,” he recalled. “The woman, dressed in rags, complained she worked as a housemaid and could not afford the Rs200 plastic card for travelling. She claimed that she scarcely earned Rs3,000 to Rs4,000 a month after sweeping floors and cleaning dishes in different houses.”

“I am sure the Punjab chief minister and officers sitting in air-conditioned offices of the Punjab Mass-transit Authority (PMA) cannot identify with the miseries of an old housemaid who was begging a conductor in the scorching summer heat.”"

Plea for better #publictransport in Karachi

thenews.com.pk: "A majority of people in Karachi use public transport since it is economical and helps reduce traffic congestion. The transport system of the city displays a sad picture of mismanagement. Insufficient number of public buses has badly affected the lives of residents. Irregular schedule causes frequent delays and long waits. During peak hours, public buses are always overcrowded. Passengers have to cover the long distances while standing. When motorcycle-rickshaws were introduced, the majority of people were relieved. However, the ban on these rickshaws has further increased problems for residents.

In addition to this, the available transport is in bad condition. Seats and windows are broken adding more difficulties to passengers. Lack of maintenance of vehicles is another problem that needs to be taken care of. . The government is requested to provide a secure transport system to the people of the city.

Shabia Bashir Chouhan

Karachi"