ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: The use of motorbikes has dramatically increased in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to the absence of an efficient transport system.

A dealer of motorbikes in Rawalpindi said that his sale had increased due to high demand, adding that most buyers cite poor transport system as a reason for buying motorbikes.

A bike rider, Saeedullah, said that due to an inefficient transport system in the twin cities and rising cost of motor cars, he had opted to sell his car and invest in a motorbike.

If the civic body introduces a proper transport system, I will prefer to use that instead of shivering on a bike in winter, he added.

Most of the public transport vehicles plying different routes in the city do not cover all the routes and end up aggravating problems for the commuters.

The passengers complain that public transport vehicles, especially vans, cover specific routes, while ignore many other areas.

This affects commuters, who end up changing buses, from one route to another, and end up paying double, said a commuter.

Hameed Bettani, a college student, said that due to financial problems, he could not pay the full fare of a bus, while transporters did not offer concession on fares.

The college student demanded of the authorities concerned to provide sufficient buses to colleges, especially women colleges.

On the other hand, Asad Riaz, a resident of Rawalpindi, said that the most serious transport problems were related to urban areas as no proper system existed in the twin cities to cater to the requirement of commuters.

According to a CDA spokesman, the authority would soon launch a modern and efficient public transport system with the cooperation of Asian Development Bank as a survey of routes had already been completed. — APP