KARACHI, Nov 22: Commuters from Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Johar have urged the authorities to expand the operation of metro buses by starting new routes from these two thickly populated destinations to Clifton via Tower.

Commuters coming from these places for Tower and Clifton argue that the metro coaches coming via Gulistan-e-Johar fail to cater the needs of this populated areas and it is imperative that new routes other than Malir Cantt be started. There is tremendous scope for air-conditioned coaches on various routes in the city

They are surprised over the influence of the coach and minibus mafia over the authorities as they are believed to be the main hurdle in the expansion of air-conditioned public transport facility. If big air-conditioned buses can be operated successfully in the city of Lahore, why can’t such a network be established in Karachi? They ask.

Convener of the Gulistan-e-Johar Residents Forum, Atiq ur Rehman Shaikh, deplored that the transport system in the mega city was deteriorating day by day due to the increasing influence of the transport mafia.

He said the traffic police had started a campaign against minibuses and coaches to check the over loading but this drive was suddenly rolled back, to the sheer dismay of the Karachiites.

He appealed to the authorities to launch such a move on a permanent basis and compel the transporters to go seat by seat.

He said plying of bigger buses, double deckers and restoration of circular railway could help reduce traffic jams and parking problems in the city.—APP