The Sindh government has ceased the operations of the People’s Bus Service in Karachi due to insufficient financial and administrative resources. The service has reportedly shut down for the second time since its inception, with the first suspension taking place in April last year. The suspension at that time was also due to insufficient funds.
Reports from a media outlet suggest that 10 air-conditioned buses were rolled out by the provincial government in alliance with Daewoo Express Bus Service a couple of years ago, covering a daily route between Dawood Chowrangi in Landhi to Tower in Karachi. At that time, the administration reported that the service incurred huge losses of Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 400,000 every month.
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The reason for those losses was low fare rates and the rising fuel prices along with other operational costs. Daewoo Bus Service, which was the service operator, told the media that the Sindh government failed to extend the contract despite the commitment at the time of the launch.
The operator also reported that Daewoo Bus Service had to bear all the financial burden of the operational expenses such as maintaining the buses and looking after the staff, and everything in between.
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A renowned magazine, Bloomberg, has dubbed the public transport of Karachi as the worst in the world. The report further added that the condition of the roads, the enforcement, and the abidance of rules are all in a terrible state. The public transport in the city consists of the popular ‘Omni Buses’ that barely fit the bill for suitable transport, especially for females.
