Indo-Pak buses struggle to get passengers
Difficulty in getting visas, deteriorating ties blamed for low passenger count
AMRITSAR: The 40-seater Dosti bus that Pakistan started between Nankana Sahib and Amritsar in 2006 did not have a single passenger on Wednesday morning when it left the local Indo-Pak bus terminal.
This is but a routine affair as the buses running between the two neighbouring countries have been struggling to get passengers of late.
In 2006, the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had flagged off the Punj-aab bus between Amritsar and Nankana Sahib as a confidencebuilding measure and to connect people from across the border. Then, Pakistan reciprocated by starting the ‘Dosti’ bus the same year.
BUSES HALTED ON PAKISTAN SIDE
There are many reasons such as the difficulty in getting visas, deteriorating ties between the two countries or even the fact that these buses are halted at Wagah on the Pakistan side and not allowed to enter cities there on security grounds.
There is also extra cost involved due to the security attached with them. Officials concerned did not share the exact amount of losses the department has been incurring.
Even if a bus does not have a single passenger, it gets a pilot vehicle carrying nearly 10 guards. In May, the Punj-aab bus got just two passengers in eight trips between Amritsar and Lahore. In April, it got just one passenger in seven trips between the two cities. In May, the Pakistani bus got six passengers in eight trips and eight passengers in six trips between Amritsar and Lahore. On the Amritsar-Nankana Sahib route, the Indian bus got just one passenger in eight trips in April and one passenger in six trips in May.
The Pakistani bus got six passengers in eight trips in April and five passengers in six trips in May. The buses commute between the two countries on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The ticket rate to Lahore is ₹1,200 and ₹1,600 to Nankana Sahib.
A Punjab Roadways official said, “Their was a time when these buses were doing well. Initially, there was waiting list for tickets. But now, it is opposite. Had Pakistan a visa centre here, things may have picked up.”
TWO INDIAN DRIVERS STILL AWAIT PAK VISA
Of the three Indian drivers attached with these buses, two are awaiting for their Pakistani visas since March. As a result, only one driver is doing the duty and driving the Indian bus.
“We are managing with just one driver. Passports of two drivers are at the Pakistani embassy since March,” an official said.