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Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Metro fare cut sparks funding debate
The recent rollback of the Metro Bus fare from Rs100 to Rs50, following public outcry and the prime minister's intervention, has offered immediate relief to thousands of commuters in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. But behind the applause lies a more complex challenge: how to sustain quality public transport while keeping it affordable for the masses. Initially, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) defended the 100% fare hike as a necessary response to rising fuel and maintenance costs. The aim was to maintain the Metro's standards, cleanliness, punctuality, air conditioning, and consistent service, which many consider superior to other public transport options. However, the sudden doubling of fares triggered backlash from students, daily-wage earners, and elderly citizens who rely on the Metro for their essential travel. "I spend Rs3,000 a month just commuting to work," said Ghulam Abbas, a construction worker. "That's a major hit to my grocery budget." Similarly, schoolgirl Asma shared with this scribe how she considered skipping lunch to manage travel costs. The government ultimately reversed the decision on June 5, reinstating the original Rs50 fare. Commuters welcomed the move, and for many, it reaffirmed faith in responsive governance. But this solution, while popular, raises an important question: can the Metro sustain quality service on its current fare model? Metro drivers, too, expressed concerns, not just about wages, which remained unchanged, but about increasing frustration from both management and passengers. "The fare change came overnight," said driver Zahid Khan. "We didn't get more pay, and now we're blamed when people are angry about delays or crowded buses. From a sustainability standpoint, experts argue that rather than doubling fares in one go, a phased or incremental approach would have been more practical and politically acceptable. "Even a Rs10-20 quarterly increase, spread over time, would be easier for people to absorb and for the authority to justify," noted a senior urban transport planner. While affordability is vital, especially during times of inflation, so is the long-term health of the transit system. A sharp rollback without any adjustment plan may risk underfunding maintenance, delaying upgrades, or cutting services in the future. Already, questions are being raised about whether buses will continue to be as clean, on time, and safe if funding gaps widen. Senior citizens like Rukhsana Bibi, who travel regularly for medical needs, suggested middle-ground solutions. "Maybe there could be concession passes for students, pensioners, and laborers, while others could pay slightly more." Such targeted subsidies could help balance the financial model without punishing the most vulnerable riders. Raziq Ali, who travels daily from Jinnah Garden to Islamabad G-7, and Hasnain Raza, a frequent commuter from Gulberg Greens, both agree that the Metro Bus is an affordable and comfortable option. However, they warned that a sudden 100% fare increase would push many to switch to bikes, which are cheaper but come with safety risks and are uncomfortable in bad weather. A gradual, balanced fare increase, aligned with inflation, fuel costs, and service improvements, can ensure the Metro's long-term sustainability without burdening commuters. This would help maintain vehicle conditions, service quality, and fair employee pay.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Uprooted businesses await monetary relief
While mass transit projects are the need of the hour given the seasonal smog crisis plaguing the province, they are often a source of huge financial losses for thousands of local businessmen, who are suddenly left without a source of income. For instance, Naeem Aamir, a businessman uprooted during the construction of the Metro Bus, revealed that he had inherited several shops alongside the Ferozepur Road. However, even after the passage of several years, he was still struggling to receive the promised compensation. 'The monetary compensation given by the government is like salt in flour. Even today, we have to plead for our money and have almost become shuttlecocks between the development agency and the project,' claimed Aamir. Similarly, Riaz Ahmed, a small trader, who used to own a shop in Anarkali, was uprooted during the construction of the Orange Metro Train Station. 'I used to work as a used-cloth merchant and owned a small shop. The government did not offer proper compensation for my loss. Money was only given for the land, while no relief was given for the damage to my business, which had to be shut down eventually. Even today, I am making rounds of various government offices to get some help,' explained Ahmed. As per information obtained by the Express Tribune, more than 22 underpasses, 17 flyovers, a ring road spanning more than 100 kilometers in length, a 28-kilometer Orange Line train and a 27-kilometer Metro Bus have been constructed in Lahore, the largest city of the province during the past two decades. While these projects have resulted in development work worth trillions of rupees, they have also caused financial hardship for hundreds of families. According to Sohail Hanif Bhandara, an urban developer, the government has a reputation of giving stepmother treatment to the business community and residential areas during the construction of big development projects. 'Although big business entities are paid well, small businesses are often neglected. Therefore, before starting any big development project, efforts should be made to bypass areas with small businesses or mini residential schemes on the route. This process will not only reduce the cost of the project but will also ensure that the common man is not affected,' implored Bhandara. On the other hand, Rai Nasir Jamil, a land acquisition collector, claimed that whenever the government acquired any land, it first evaluated the value of the land and then offered compensation to businesses as per the government's standard formula. 'The standard formula is that whenever a project affecting residential, urban and rural populations is announced, the cost of the project is calculated only after determining its parameters. Sometimes there are irregularities in the valuation. But this can be settled by the complainant later on,' said Jamil. As per the claims of the government, a special package was given to underprivileged families who had been living on the land of various government departments for more than 60 years and did not have ownership rights. Families living in one room in a multi-storey building were given assistance of Rs1 million per household. Land compensation for residential houses located in Kapoorthala House, Kacha Lake Road and Edward Road was Rs.2.5 million per marla, while the compensation for commercial land was Rs3.5 million per marla. One hundred families were living in the Bengali Building while 58 families were living in the Maharaja Building.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Downed power lines and traffic setbacks in St. Louis after storms
ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis is dealing with downed power lines and various traffic delays and closures Friday after intense afternoon Ameren Missouri: The City of St. Louis is responding to multiple incidents related to this afternoon's storms. Please avoid downed power lines. Report downed power lines to Ameren Missouri by calling 800.552.7583. Always assume power lines are energized. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies. To report an outage or downed power line to Ameren, click St. Louis City Emergency Management: Please avoid unnecessary travel within the City of St. Louis. Kingshighway between I-64 and I-70 is closed at several areas due to the storm. Residents are asked to continue to call 911 to report emergencies. Non-emergency storm damage can be reported to the Citizens' Service Bureau by calling 314-622-4800 or online at For updates on traffic conditions, click Due to power outages, Red Line MetroLink trains are not operating between the Wellston and Central West End Stations and Blue Line MetroLink trains are not operating between the Maplewood-Manchester and Central West End Stations. Blue Line Bus Shuttles are transporting passengers between the Maplewood-Manchester, Brentwood I-64, Richmond Heights, Clayton, Forsyth, University City-Big Bend, Skinker, Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Central West End Stations. Red Line Bus Shuttles are transporting passengers between the Wellston, Delmar Loop, Forest Park-DeBaliviere and Central West End Stations. Passengers traveling through these areas should expect significant delays of 60+ minutes. MetroBus: Due to downed trees, traffic signals and other debris impacting roadways, several MetroBus routes are experiencing delays at this time, with some buses on the #2 Red, #41 Lee, and #74 Florissant routes seeing significant delays. All customers are encouraged to allow extra time for their commutes this afternoon and evening. Metro Call-A-Ride: Metro Call-A-Ride customers can check on the status of their trip by calling 314.982.1505, option 2, or texting 314.742.3051. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Recorder
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Air Punjab and the Bullet Train
The spirit of hard work and dedication to public service is a legacy Maryam Nawaz has proudly inherited. Her father, former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, launched numerous welfare initiatives during his tenure, from which millions continue to benefit to this day. In Punjab, the Orange Line and Metro Bus services stand as successful examples of his vision. Now, under Maryam Nawaz's leadership, new projects like Air Punjab, the Bullet Train, and the Yellow Line are set to usher in a new era of development and prosperity for the province. While electric bikes and buses are already operating across Punjab, the 'Clean Punjab' mega initiative is rapidly transforming the province's cities and towns. Even critics now acknowledge that under this programme, cleanliness and improved sanitation are evident even in remote rural areas — a remarkable achievement of the Maryam Nawaz administration. Maryam Nawaz's government is not only swiftly delivering public welfare projects but also making bold, historic decisions. Recently, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced two landmark initiatives: the launch of Pakistan's first provincial airline, Air Punjab, and the introduction of Pakistan's first high-speed Bullet Train. In a special cabinet meeting, she formally approved both projects. Initially, four aircraft will be leased for Air Punjab, with domestic flights commencing immediately. In its second year, Air Punjab plans to expand operations internationally. Maryam Nawaz has directed that Air Punjab be developed into Pakistan's premier airline. Simultaneously, a decision was made to operate Pakistan's first high-speed Bullet Train between Lahore and Rawalpindi, reducing travel time between the two cities to just two and a half hours. The Chief Minister has entrusted Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb with the special task of overseeing the Bullet Train project. In this regard, Marriyum Aurangzeb has held key meetings with Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, and railways officials have briefed her on technical and operational aspects. The proposed Bullet Train route will pass through Lahore, Shahdara, Narowal, Raiwind, Kasur, Pakpattan, Lodhran, Sheikhupura, Jaranwala, Shorkot, Jhang, Sargodha, Lalamusa via Mandi Bahauddin, Faisalabad, Chak Jhumra, and Shahinabad. Additionally, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed that the feasibility study for the Yellow Line project, connecting Jinnah Terminal (Thokar Niaz Baig) to Harbanspura, be completed by May 30. Similarly, the feasibility study for the Gujranwala Mass Transit Line must be finalised by June 15. Important decisions regarding the E-Taxi project have also been made, signalling Punjab's rapid march towards modern and eco-friendly transportation solutions. While Punjab accelerates towards modernity, other provinces present a stark contrast. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, people still rely on makeshift cable crossings (dolis) to traverse rivers, and in Sindh, public transportation outside of Karachi is almost nonexistent. Against this backdrop, Maryam Nawaz's vision is to transform Punjab into a truly modern and developed province. Recently, at an international conference in Türkiye, Lahore was officially declared a 'Tourism City.' To further enhance Lahore's historic beauty, the Punjab government has formed a special committee with Mian Nawaz Sharif himself serving as Patron-in-Chief. His deep love for Lahore is well-known, and he has personally taken responsibility for the city's restoration. Lahore enjoys a unique identity on the global stage. However, to elevate it further, urban management standards must match international benchmarks. The city's cleanliness, lush green spaces, modern transport systems, and well-developed road infrastructure have already contributed to its reputation among the world's most beautiful cities. Citizens, too, must fulfil their responsibility in preserving Lahore's charm. If the Yellow Line is constructed along the Lahore Canal, the city could soon join the ranks of global metropolises like Dubai, Shanghai, Beijing, Moscow, Paris, and London. The Lahore Canal, a signature landmark of the city's beauty, will be further enhanced by this project. One of Maryam Nawaz's defining traits is her proactive leadership style. Her projects do not remain trapped in bureaucratic files; she personally monitors progress and ensures effective delivery. As a result, her team performs with full commitment and responsibility, helping to translate her vision into reality. (The writer is the PRO of Information Minister Punjab) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pindi ready to host CT matches
The ICC Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan from February 19. Photo: PCB The city administration has finalised arrangements to host the matches of Champions Trophy 2025 which will kick off today (Monday). According to sources, Metro Bus stations from Rehmanabad to Faizabad will remain closed, and sniper teams will be positioned on rooftops along the routes to monitor the teams' movement. In case of any emergency, a helipad will be set up near the stadium with a contingency crisis management and evacuation plan in place.
