KABUL (Pajhwok): Kabul City residents say they have been longing for a proper transport system in the city for the past several years and ask the incumbent acting government to resolve the issue.
Pajhwok Afghan News reporter interviewed a number of residents in different parts of Kabul City, who strongly complained about the lack of a proper transport system in the city.
Overcrowding in public transport vehicles, differences in fares, and no identification of bus stops were some of the issues that the residents highlighted during a chat with Pajhwok reporter.
<strong>Use of single-seat for two passengers</strong>
Some residents complained that no buses were available in some parts of the city to transport people and instead taxies were transporting people. In taxis, two people are forced to sit on a single front seat, they claimed.
Abdullah Ahmadi, a resident of Thaimani area neighborhood said over the past several years no proper transportation system was available in Kabul City. All dwellers, including him, were suffering as a result.
Public transport buses are in a limited number in Kabul City and most of the time small vehicles or taxies provided the service, there is no identified bust stops and that causes traffic congestion and other issues for the people, he said.
He said people had to wait for up to 20 minutes to find a vehicle. “Travelling in the city is terrible and problematic. Two people have to sit on the front seat and pay the same the fare of a single-seat,” he said.
Maryam, a resident of Kabul’s Darulaman area, made similar complaint and said: “A proper transport system could not be introduced in Kabul over the past several years and we are facing inconvenience. In other countries especially in our neighborhood, a proper public transport system is available,” she said.
“Public transport buses if introduced will help reduce traffic congestion and will facilitate people. Small vehicles charge up to 30 afs and forced two people to sit on single front seat,” she added.
<strong>Soaring fare</strong>
Sameer Nayazi, the resident of Dasht-i-Barchi area, said besides other problems the high fare was another issue they were faced with.
“Small vehicles charge 30 afs from Golae Dawkhana area to Deh Afghanan while in other areas they charge 20 afs for the same distance. When we ask the reason for high fare they say petrol prices are high.”
Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Ahmad Shah Baba Mena, said he daily traveled from Ahmad Shah Baba Mena to the Airport for work and paid up to 50 afs fare, he said if public transport buses were introduced, the fare would also decline.
<strong>Unfair behavior toward women</strong>
HanifaSuhrabi, a resident of Dasht-i-Barchi district, complained against the unfair treatment of drivers with women.
“I daily travel between Kota-i-Sangi and Shahr-i-Naw, the fact that there is no public transport buses I have to travel in small vehicles. Most of the time small vehicles refuse to pick up ladies and say transporting ladies is not profitable,” she said.
“Daily I have to wait for half an hour at the bus station when more women appear in need of a taxi than someone lifts us to our destination,” she said.
Transport Ministry Spokesperson MawlaviImamuddinAhmadi said they will pay attention to the public transport issue and resolve it.
“In case of high fare if our citizens register a complaint then Mujahideen will take action. The problem is that private vehicles are operating in the city and the interior ministry should take action in this regard.”
nh/ma
