January 31, 2022
(Well, not “my life” but definitely A Sunday Outing!)
Hearing so much about the Breeze Project “Green Line BRT” (Bus Rapid Transit), I decided to do a Sunday outing on it. Mobile in hand and a large mineral water, I entered a very clean NUMAISH station; quick purchase of a ticket (Rs. 55 one way); and an easy and quick boarding onto the 11:20 bus.
Clear markers indicate various facilities or the way to the bus. On the return, I saw the electronic ticketing booths, which when operational, will make life even easier.
The ticketing agent didn’t bat an eyelid when I said I wanted to go to the “end of the line”. Indicates the number of people like me for whom the “ride” is the experience and not the destination.
The bus itself was very clean, well airconditioned, well maintained and not a rowdy lot on board either. (As an aside, it shows that we Pakis can also be disciplined if given the opportunity and circumstances to be!). It’s a great employment generator too.
There is limited seating in three compartments- the first is for ladies only; the middle for families; and the last was the “men only” section, which I boarded.
So, the current run is upto “Green Line BRT Abdullah Chowk” in Surjani Town- about 19 km, which we completed in almost exactly 55 minutes. The return journey was exactly the same time. The bus route is exclusive, so the 55 minutes should be the same every time of the day, every day of the week – unaffected by traffic. An excellent commuter service to people driving into, or leaving, Saddar. Eventually it will extend all the way to Tower at I.I. Chundrigar Road. If operated correctly and with the right quantity of buses, there’s no reason why motorcycle commuters, primarily, won’t convert to this service.
Nadeem, my seat companion was doing exactly what I was- a tourist on the BRT. He too wanted to experience the Green Line. Like us, I saw families in front who seemed to be out on the same outing as us.
Total number of stations, including Numaish, currently are 22 and while one of the other passengers thought it was too many, I felt it’s fine because of the ease for commuters along this line to pick up (or get off) this service.
I would suggest that as the popularity grows, to have at least every third bus (they leave every 5 minutes) as the “family & women only” bus. The rest of the buses can be for all genders (ie mainly men).
The Green line ends at 10pm but I would also suggest to extend the service till midnight at least, which will help the night shift workers in their commute. Having one guard on the night service should be considered as it will give more confidence to women commuters, especially for a future “women & family only” bus.
The question remains, will this excellent facility for Karachiites remain maintained!?
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Dinshaw Avari- Trying my Hand at Blogging! 