HE fact that the megacity of Karachi does not have a viable public transport system is nothing short of criminal. It reflects the disinterest of both the federal and provincial governments as well as the political forces that claim to speak for Karachi in the affairs of the common man and his needs in the metropolis.

Over the past 15 years or so, a number of projects have been floated for the Sindh capital; nearly all have failed due to bad planning or lack of political will. The Karachi Mass Transit Master Plan 2030 is the latest effort, but it appears the plan is also being handled in a questionable manner by the administration. As reported recently, the Orange and Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System projects will now take off by the middle of this month, whereas they were supposed to have been launched in November. Apparently, none of the bids received were suitable. As per the plan, the initial phase of the new public transport system was supposed to be operational within a year, but if the state`s track record is anything to go by, this deadline seems difficult to meet.

Though there has been criticism of the new metro bus and train projects inaugurated in Rawalpindi-Islamabad and Lahore and much of it has been justified at least the respective administrations of these cities have shown some initiative. Karachi, for decades, has either been ignored where the provision of efficient public transport is concerned, or half-baked ideas have been considered. This has left millions of commuters in the metropolis at the mercy of a mediaeval transport system. Independent voices have raised many issues and offered numerous suggestions to address the transport problem in Karachi. But most of this advice has fallen on deaf ears. It is hoped that with an elected city administration soon to be in place, Karachi`s transport problems amongst its many other outstanding civic issues will finally be dealt with in a planned, practical and commuter-friendly manner.