Neili residents decry absence of transport service

NEILI (Pajhwok): Some residents of central Daikundi province complain about the lack of a well-organised transport system in the province.

Inhabitants of Neili say they have to use motorbikes as taxis in the absence of public transport buses.

Reza Sadaqat, a resident of Neili city told Pajhwok Afghan News as the use of taxis was limited, most people relied on motorbikes, impeding public movement.

Sadaqat said: “If women want to travel, they either do not have mahram (an individual you can’t marry) with them. Thus they cannot ride bikes behind strangers. At the same time, it is also difficult for patients to use motorcycles for transportation to hospital.”

Comparatively speaking, women face more problems because they can neither travel alone with motorcyclists nor even in the presence of mahram men.

He asked the government to pay due attention to the issue and think about launching a reliable public transport service in the city.

Din Mohammad, another resident, explained the transport problems multiplied during the winter when residents could not ride motorbikes.

Most Neili residents want the government to find a solution to transport sector problems, but their consistent demand has been ignored, says Din Mohammad.

On the other hand, the use of motorbikes as taxis has been a source of income and job generation for some residents of the city.

Suleman, a motorcyclist, told Pajhwok he worked from dawn to dusk and earned some money to meet the daily needs of his family.

He confirmed: “In this city, there are fewer taxis which operate only when they are needed urgently.  We charge each passenger only 20 afs, but taxi driver charges 300 to 400afs. All people cannot afford to pay taxi rents.”

He pointed out: “There are no other employment opportunities. We come here and make around 70 or 100 afs a day and buy bread for our families.”

Road transport officials say they plan to find a permanent solution to the problem by putting in place a transport system across the province.

Jamaluddin Irshad, head of Land Transport Authority, promised relevant departments would work on a bus terminal for to resolve people’s transport problem.

“A location has been selected for the terminal and this issue will be resolved soon” he added.

Later on, he said, the authorities would impound motorbikes, which cause most of traffic accidents in the city.

aw/mud