Free Ride Offering In Twin Cities Almost Vanished In Rawalpindi And Islamabad

Gone are the days when motorists used to offer people in-need a ride in their vehicles in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as rising incidents of robbery and theft have put a serious dent on their confidence.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :Gone are the days when motorists used to offer people in-need a ride in their vehicles in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as rising incidents of robbery and theft have put a serious dent on their confidence.

A few years back motorists could be seen offering rides to people at a various bus stops, particularly during the peak hours.

The absence of public transport service, especially along Kashmir highway forces commuters to look for a ride or rely on cabs or other private vehicles.

Jahandad, a routine traveler on Kashmir highway while expressing his concerns, said common problem among the citizens was lack of trust on others as people traveling in a car do not allow someone to accompany with him because they have a fear of security. He said in most cases some private car travellers offered payed lift, pretending to be running the taxis.

Why people do not offer a free ride? A citizen Arsalan told APP that Pakistan fighting against terrorism since many years, every body here was afraid to give a free lift due to meet any untoward situation.

A daily commuter, Raheem standing near Peshawar More Interchange, said after waiting long the only option left to look for a ride. "To offer lift that was a noble cause to catch blessings we should create awareness among locals to practice that good deed to facilitate people," he said.

Travellers standing on Islamabad Chowk said that to facilitate commuters a free shuttle service from a private trust running on the road but due to burden of people we could not catch as its seats were occupied before we get into it and left on the mercy of motorist. They complained that wagon number 105 and 101 do not complete their designated routes as they stop their vehicles on G-11, before heading to their designated route 26 number Chungi, due to their sheer violation commuters suffer a lot, they complained Another motorist said that "Being on the road, I allowed people to travel with me after judge them through conversation as when i dropped them to their destinations they left me after giving so many prayers". He said that completion of new metro bus Project would ease the commuters as well as motorist.

When contacted, an official of Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) said public transporters would not be allowed route violation as well as overcharging.

In this regard, the authorities have taken strict actions and impounded heavy fines to various vehicles and also issued challan notices to the violators. He added that "commuters should always register their complaints in written form with the concerned authorities".