PESHAWAR, June 19: The nexus between the bus drivers and traffic police has become a source of embarrassment and humiliation for the commuters, many people told Dawn on Wednesday.

“The traffic police which is supposed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic has been adding to the problem by accepting bribes from the drivers and giving them a free-hand in return.” said a commuter.

He said he travels to his office in city area from Hayatabad township by mini-buses which take painfully long.

Another person remarked that it normally takes 30 minutes from Board staff to General Bus Stand but the buses cover the distance in not less than an hour.

He said these commercial vehicles stop and pick-up passengers anywhere they like along the route. On occasion they have even dumped the passengers half way if the number of passengers was not up to their expectation.

The government servants are the worst sufferers. “I often get stuck in traffic jams in the mornings.”

The situation at the Stadium stop in Saddar area, near Khyber Teaching Hospital, Firdous cinema and Hashtnagri stop, is a mess.

“The root cause of the wayward habits of the bus drivers is easy bribing of the traffic police,” said one Ali Khan.

“We earn Rs1,000 daily, of which Rs500 is for fuel and salaries, Rs200 goes to police, and the rest Rs300 is our profit,” said an owner of a mini-bus which costs over Rs500,000.

The traffic police give their own reasons for accepting bribe. “I have a family of seven to support in a salary of Rs4,000 per month. I am compelled to accept bribe because I cannot let my children down.”

The slow-movement of traffic and consequent congestion also causes problems for the shop on both sides of the roads.

The shopkeeper say that they have repeatedly complained to the concerned authorities about the ugly situation, but all in vain.

A police official defending his department told Dawn that the department would take action against those police officers found guilty of accepting bribe from bus drivers.