KARACHI, Aug 29: Commuters are facing transport problem owing to considerable decrease in the number of buses being run under the Urban Transport Scheme.

The commuters are now made to suffer and wait for buses for a long duration owing to reduced frequency of buses, especially on routes 11, 12, 13, 8, 34, 3, 4 and 35.

Interviews with commuters revealed that the buses on various routes, which earlier used to be available after every five minutes, were now available after 20 to 30 minutes. Owing to the decreasing number of UTS buses, people have to waste their time in waiting at shelterless bus stops. On a number of routes, commuters complained of overcharging, delays in journey, rude behaviour of conductors and poor condition of overcrowded buses.

Seats, bulbs and handles in a number of buses need repairs and replacement but the owners are least concerned with the agony of commuters.

According to a bus passenger, he luckily saved his life while attempting to board a UTS-12 bus on Malir-Tower route. He said that the bus was not moving too fast when he tried to catch the bus. As he put his hand on a handle of the door, it was in his hand, he added.

Commuters say that UTS-13 buses on Malir-Orangi route are available after every half an hour. Similarly, people have to wait for 10 to 12 minutes to catch UTS-12 buses. The situation is not different on UTS route numbers 11, 34, 3 and 4.

This on the one hand causes resentment among commuters and on the other results in overcrowding.

The poor service of minibuses and coaches is also one of the factors responsible for the overcrowded UTS buses.

They have demanded of the government to bring some revolutionary changes to the UTS system so that people could heave a sigh of relief.