Shrinking Milli Bus service sparks complaints

HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): With the government-run bus service declining in western Herat province, residents demand sufficient and efficient public transport vehicles in the city and districts.

Mohammad Nasir, one of the residents, complained only a handful of Milli Bus vehicles were currently active in parts of the provincial capital.

He recalled people once used to pay five to 10 afghanis for long travel, but they had been forced to pay up to 80 afghanis to taxis.

Linking the fare hike to the shrinking national bus service, Nasir said his daily income was only 250 afghanis and thus he could not afford to hire a cab regularly.

Ali Ahmad, another inhabitant, said national bus services were active in all cities around the globe. People prefer travelling on these buses.

Hailing the service as a good facility for the public, he asked the authorities concerned to facilitate commuters.

Meanwhile, the National Bus Enterprise said it had 57 buses at present. But due to financial problems and a shortage of drivers, only 18 of the vehicles operate in the City.

Maulvi Mohammad Juma Khadim, director of the enterprise, confirmed 12 of the 57 buses operated in Herat City and six in districts.

He added they planned to run several more buses on different city routes. He called lack of drivers and financial resources the main challenges facing the department.

Khadim asked the caretaker government to take measures to sort out the problems.

Referring to past experiences, he acknowledged buses played an essential role in transporting people in return for reasonable fares and easing traffic congestion.

He urged the provincial administration to pay serious attention to addressing the issue to restore urban order.

sa/mud