People living in the ancient city of Multan, who travel to their native towns of Muzaffargarh, Shujabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, Khanewal, Kabirwala, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Vehari, Mailsi, Burewala to celebrate Eid every year, have started worrying about their arduous journey as the transporters are out on moneymaking spree.
There is no change in the shabby transport system this year. Each year passengers have to suffer untold miseries at the hands of transporters. Over-loading, over-charging, maltreatment, humiliation, and inordinate delays, are the `gifts' presented to the passengers by transporters on Eid.
Everyone, except authorities concerned knows this. There are frequent scenes of exchanging harsh words and scuffles among the passengers and the transporters. The twin-city authorities dealing with transport have always been conspicuous by their absence. Passengers are left on the mercy of transporters. A host of private transport companies are plying buses to various destinations across the country. Only a handful of them have earned repute, while the rest are known for their notoriety. Since transport is entirely a private affair, there is no other alternate to the people. The passengers have appealed to the transport authorities of cities of Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan to be mindful of their woes. "Travel is a misery. It's a nightmare. I may not think of Eid, but I do think of getting home on these nasty buses, which make the travel more strenuous," said Nasrullah Khan, a resident of Dera Ghazi Khan, who works in Multan.
He complained of being often humiliated by the transport company and said it treats passengers like animals. Reckless driving, adventurism on roads with other competitors, over-loading and overcharging are the hallmark of private transport service.
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