KARACHI, July 3: The sudden disappearance of urban transport system (UTS) buses of route UTS-8 has created great inconvenience for and resentment among a large number of commuters. The UTS-8 runs from the Pakistan Steel Township en route to Dockyard and Keamari.

A social worker and PPP leader, Faqir Faiz Muhammad Hesbani, told APP that the UTS-8 route, starting a year back, covered Pakistan Steel’s residential areas, Pipri, Razzakabad, Quaidabad-Landhi, Malir, Airport, Drigh Road, Sharea Faisal, Mazar-i-Quaid, M.A. Jinnah Road, Tower and Dockyard.

The suspension of the said route came on the very day when dissolution of the local bodies’ councils was announced.

People have demanded an immediate restoration of the UTS service on the route.

It may be mentioned that the UTS, Green Bus, Metro Bus services were controlled by the city government.

According to information obtained from the UTS-8 staff, their fleet of 30 buses would be shifted to Multan city.

Meanwhile, no new party or company has so far come forward to start operations on the said route.

Concerned officials of UTS-8 were hesitant about giving formal comments on the situation and future plans.

Faiz Hesbani said the new and better transport service of the UTS had provided relief to a large number of people, who were earlier facing all kinds of violations by operators of buses and coaches, and their misconduct with passengers.

“People have been once again left at the mercy of traditional transporters wherein a passenger feels lucky if he completes his journey smoothly and respectfully,” he said.

He pointed out that thousands of people used these buses daily to work. Now, they would have to pay more and spare more time by using private transport.

A group of residents from the Pakistan Steel Township in their joint statement said the coaches of Muslim and Mehran routes – plying from Tower to Gulshan-i-Hadeed via Cantt railway station and M.A. Jinnah road – mostly end their journey at Quaidabad, Landhi.

Hence, passengers have to pay an extra Rs8 by taking another bus from there in addition to Rs12 paid to either Muslim or Mehran coaches to reach their homes. This is besides the time that is wasted.

Commuters have urged the concerned authorities that other buses be immediately brought on the said route sensing the situation’s gravity.—APP