LAHORE, Feb 18: The Turkish firm began on Monday charging passengers of the Metro Bus Service (MBS) a flat fare of Rs20 on the 27-kilometre dedicated corridor (project route) from Gajjumata to Shahdara.

The paid journey, people said, ensured genuine passengers at ticket counters and in buses.

Earlier, the chief minister`s announcement on Feb 10 that passengers would enjoy a free ride till March 10 attracted an influx of people to have a free ride thus creating security and discipline problems at MBS points. The situation forced the authorities to introduce a flat fare from Monday.

A few passengers at Kalma Chowk stop welcomed the decision.

`I think it is a good decision as it willhelp passengers avail the facility in rather easy way,` Rashid Ghazi, a passenger, said.

Saghir, Asghar, Shakeela and Aftab were among other passengers speaking highly of the fare decision.

A student, Uzair, demanded that the government announce a subsidised fare for students and senior citizens.

Among the passengers was the chief minister who got on the bus at Ittefaq Hospital station and got off at some stop, not disclosed by his staff.

Lahore Transport Company (LTC) Chairman Khwaja Ahmad Hassan also visited various bus stations. He said the MBS would be an efficient and affordable transport facility for the public.

`The LTC has re-organised 25 urbanroutes to help the commuters reach the MBS stations from different points.

He claimed that 30,000 people would avail the Metro bus every day.

TRADERS: The City District Government of Lahore on Monday sought removal of encroachments at Barkat Market in two days.

District Coordination Officer Noorul Amin Mengal visited the market.

Earlier, Mengal visited Gulberg and directed the district officer of roads to complete patchwork of roads in a couple of days.

He asked the PHA officers to provide water to public toilets and install lights there. He asked the PHA director general to remove 17 illegal huts situated around the market.