The Speedo bus service running between Bahawalpur and Lodhran has once again been suspended, this time due to unpaid arrears reportedly amounting to millions of rupees.
The company managing the service said operations will remain halted until the Punjab transport authorities clear the dues and renew the payment agreement.
The air-conditioned buses, introduced at a subsidized fare of Rs20 per trip during the tenure of former chief minister Hamza Shehbaz, are widely used by students, workers, and residents commuting daily between Lodhran and Bahawalpur.
However, the service has faced repeated disruptions over the past few years for the same reason — delayed payments from the provincial government. Each time, protests and pressure from commuters led to temporary restoration.
With operations suspended once more, students and laborers in Lodhran are facing major difficulties in traveling for education and work. In recent months, similar suspensions were lifted only after public demonstrations forced government intervention.
An official from the operating company warned that without immediate clearance of outstanding dues, the service could be permanently shut down, with the fleet possibly shifted to Lahore. Local commuters have now appealed to the chief minister to intervene and ensure the continuation of the service.
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Vested interest clash with political parties but also with personalities within parties.
How is the bus that is always filled to the brim even with Rs20-25 per passenger not self sustaining?
They recently even started doing ads on the buses. Something is fishy going on with the operator, like government contracts with the IPPs?