KARACHI July 15: A large number of commuters of Gulistan-i-Jauhar are facing inconvenience due to lesser number of buses plying directly from their area to Saddar and Tower/Shaheen Complex. Metro 9-B express is the only transport plying directly on the route, but buses are not in sufficient number to cater the need of the area people. It, however, does not operate on this route on Sunday, which increases inconvenience for the people.

Commuters have no option, but to move towards NIPA Chowrangi or others routes to get transport for their downtown destination.

Therefore, they have to change two to three buses/coaches to reach offices, schools and colleges and return home, making it an exhausting option.

The transport problem deteriorated in the area when green bus, plying a year ago closed its operation on this route.

Some of the residents of Gulistan-i-Jauhar said that it was really frustrating when they did not find a seat in Metro 9-B after waiting for half an hour or more and had to move towards NIPA Chowrangi or other route to get their required transport.

They said that they experienced the same pattern when they returned home.

Commuters say that Gulistan-i-Jauhar has a large population therefore larger number of public and private transport should be plied on this route.

Metro Bus Service Supervisor Fareed Khan said that 20 to 15 buses plied on the route but presently due to ongoing maintenance work of buses only 10 buses were operating.

He said it was an important route having hundreds of commuters, but except Metro no other transporters plied on this route.—APP