ISLAMABAD: As Eidul Fitr approaches, the lack of tickets, overcharging and overcrowded vehicles have exacerbated problems for those travelling from the capital to their hometowns.

The twin cities’ three major bus terminals – Faizabad, Pirwadhai and Karachi Company – were crowded with travellers who have started leaving the city to celebrate Eid in their native areas.

However, many travellers are suffering at the hands of transporters, facing a lack of vehicles and being made hours to board on a first-come-first-go basis.

People from across the country live in the capital for work or business reasons, and many of them travel to their hometowns for the holidays. Thousands of people who have their own transport can travel out of the city easily, but most members of the working class, labourers and students have to depend on public transport and each time, face the same issues.

Asad Abbas Shah, a transport manager at a private bus terminal, said the administration has put every bus on the road but it was impossible to take everyone because of the number of passengers. He said people should leave early on Eid days to avoid ticketing problems.

Purchasing tickets before Eid has also become frustrating, and most people find that seats in better quality buses have been booked almost a week before the holidays. The phrase “seat on chance” is frequently repeated if one approaches a ticket counter without an advance booking. According to Mr Shah, even those who get seats on chance are lucky.

In the meantime, travellers who cannot afford luxury buses have to rely on average or below average transport to save money.

“Travelling on these vans is the worst experience, but I have no other choice and have to reach home, as I also want to celebrate this Eid with my family,” said Madni, a labourer working in Islamabad.

Sheraz Ahmed, a driver, said drivers do not earn extra profits or exploit travellers on Eid. “Eid doesn’t come just for travellers; we also have to celebrate it by feeding our families. And sometimes traffic officials also demand bribes in the name of Eidi from drivers,” he said.

Some travellers have also complained that in addition to charging higher fares, vehicle owners are also charging hundreds of rupees in luggage fees.

Tanvir Abbas, a student travelling to Bahawalpur, said he bought a ticket by paying an extra Rs100 to a helper on the bus, who took another Rs200 to place his luggage in the trunk.

“There is no specific rate here,” he said. “Every customer is being charged extra, the one who agrees to their terms gets a seat, otherwise one has to stand and wait here for hours.”

In response to a question about the issues facing travellers, Islamabad Transport Authority Secretary Syed Jawad Muzaffar said he has been visiting various bus stands regularly and heavy fines have been imposed on those violating the security mechanism and for a lack of safety measures for travellers.

He warned transporters to put up a fare list and adhere to timings, adding that he has asked bus stand owners to improve the condition of passenger waiting areas.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017