The student community in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are facing transport problem. There are hundred of educational institutions in twin-city, while transport arrangements for thousands of students are insufficient. Though, many institutions have their own arrangements for pick and drop of students, but it was not sufficient to facilitate the entire community.
A large number of students, coming from out of the city, reach their respective schools and colleges through private transport, which often misbehave with them. Talking to APP, many students shared their sufferings and rude behaviour of transporters with them. A student Majid Nawab said that school/college buses ply only on specific routes and he has to use local transport to reach his college.
"It is one of the big problems for all those who come from out station," he said. Students complained that majority of local transporters do not stop their buses on stops where they are waiting. Atif Chaudhry, a college student said due to financial problems, he couldn't pay full fare of bus, while transporters were not allowing them student concession. Sources in Federal Directorate of Education Islamabad told that FDE has provided 100 buses to various public sector institutions in the capital to facilitate students.
Meanwhile Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has devised a strategy to take severe action against overloading and would take preventive measures in collaboration with administration of educational institutions, Education Directorate, parents of students and transport unions.
ITP sources said that it has been observed that students have to climb on rooftops of the buses for reaching their college and school, which is dangerous. Considering this danger, ITP SSP Zubair Hashmi set a strategy and advised all DSPs and beat in charges to take strict action against overloading, the sources said.