Srinagar, Oct 06: Commuters from various parts of Srinagar are finding it difficult to commute in the evening hours, expressing dissatisfaction with the limited availability of public transportation, claiming immense inconvenience in reaching their homes.
Commuters, particularly women, have expressed disappointment over the lack of evening public transportation on many city routes such as HMT, Narbal, Soura, Chanapora, and Bemina.
A large number of commuters can be seen waiting for passenger buses near Jahangir Chowk, Kashmir Hatt, Sanat Nagar, Rambagh, Jawahar Nagar, Abdullah Bridge, Soura, Sonwar, Batwara, Dalgate, and its adjacent areas.
In response to commuter complaints, ARTO Srinagar Arif Parvez Shah told Rising Kashmir that they will look into the issue and speak with stakeholders involved with the city’s mini bus services; however, he stated that there is no new major induction of new passenger vehicles in the existing fleet.
“If people have raised the issue, we will certainly look into it and speak to the heads of the city’s mini bus associations; however, there may be some issues in some areas, but most routes have transportation availability.” “There is no significant new induction of passenger vehicles due to the cost factor involved in a vehicle purchase,” he explained.
Meanwhile, many commuters said they catch sumo vehicles to get home, while others struggle to catch one and have to wait for public transportation vehicles or struggle to get a space in a mini bus, causing immense discomfort, particularly for female commuters.
Zahida, a medical student at Government Hr. Sec AmiraKadal stated that her parents have to wait for her at the bus stop every day because she arrives late due to the lack of public transportation in the evening hours.
