LAHORE: Motorcycle-rickshaws emerged as an efficient and economical mode for transporting voters from their doorstep to polling stations and back in the first phase of local body elections on Saturday.

The three-wheelers ferried voters of the PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in Shadbagh, Misri Shah, Wassanpura, Kachupura, Ghoray Shah, Daroghawala, Manawan, Jallo, Mohlanwal and Shahpur Kanjran.

The vehicle was also preferred over pick-ups and wagons by independent candidates in Malik Park, Bilal Ganj, Sanda, Islampura, Ichhra, parts of Gulshan-i-Ravi, Najaf Colony along Wahdat Road and other congested areas of the city.

The three-wheelers were decorated either with flags of mainstream political parties or posters of independent candidates. Many drivers who otherwise ‘entertain’ their passengers with folk or film music played party songs such as ‘Sher Hamara…’ and ‘Jab Aaye Ga Imran…’.

Mostly driven by underage drivers, the motorcycle-rickshaws however did not get more than five passengers for each ride against their usual capacity of 10 to 12.

Tongas had been the only mode of public transportation in northern parts of Lahore until the late 1990s after which noisy and smoke-emitting motorcycle-rickshaws started replacing the otherwise calm and pollution-free coaches that used to ferry Lahorites, especially schoolchildren, in other parts of the city.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2015

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