Friday, March 20, 2009

Karachi will have 50 buses specially for female passengers: Jadoon


KARACHI: Out of total number of buses that KPTS will bring on roads, 50 buses would be exclusively earmarked for women passengers and will have female conductors.
This was stated by Sindh Transport Minister Akhtar Hussain Jadoon while replying to a supplementary question during question hour in Sindh Assembly on Wednesday. He said that transport problem in Karachi will continue to persist unless new buses are inducted. He said that with 1:1500 bus- population ratios, Karachi still needs an additional number of 10,000 buses.
Replying to the main question of Arif Mustafa Jatoi, the Transport Minister said that for Karachi-Sukkur route, 70 permits have been issued for air-conditioned and 06 permits for non-air conditioned buses out of 296 and 61 permits sanctioned for this route.
To a supplementary, he said that after devolution plan, the powers to check violations by transporters rests with the Home department and which earlier were with the transport department. He said in case if any complaint is brought to the notice of transport department of route permit violations, the same can be referred to DIG Traffic and DIG Motorway for action. Replying a supplementary question, Mr Jadoon informed that at present permits are issued to vehicles of up to 1982 model, but efforts are continuing to ensure that new model vehicles are brought on roads. He said people would get rid of obsolete buses only when new buses are inducted. To another supplementary, the Minister said that DIG Highway has been asked that while checking a vehicle’s registration book, the route permit issued to it is also checked.
Replying to another question of Arif Mustafa Jatoi, the Transport Minister informed that in all 107,762 vehicles holding route permits are operating on Urban routes in Karachi City as Public Transport Vehicles. He said these include 2598 buses, 5935 mini-buses, 3372 coaches, 230 buses (KPTS), 42 Buses (UTS) (AC), 220 buses (UTS), 24209 Taxis (Black/Yellow), 23095 Taxis (Yellow Cab), 43,325 2-stroke auto rickshaw and 4736 4-stroke CNG rickshaws.
Jadoon informed that fare for stage carriage is determined by Government in pursuance of the provision of Section 45 (I) (iii) & (ii) of Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965
He presented the annexure showing fare structure of the public service vehicles. (RT)

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