Karachi Transport System:A perfect example of good management (What?)

Well most of you who have ever visited Karachi or have acquaintances who have visited it would be shocked to see the title and think that this is a perfect example of travelogue written by a traveler who hasn’t even bothered to visit the place.

But nope.....................that’s not the case. I have been living in this city for around five years and public transport has been a part of my life for as long. So, why the perfect management system............ Let me give you the details

In the morning you go out and began to wait on the roadside for the bus. If you are lucky enough you find one, which has enough space that allows you to stand inside the bus. Then, suddenly the bus that has been crawling at snail’s rate runs at the speed of a cheetah. Wooh .......you can’t believe this but its 100 percent true. The reason is money...........what!! You are probably thinking what does money has to do with it. Money has to do with everything in the world.......................in this case the bus driver gets a token (a kind of slip) with timing written on it which is the time the bus is supposed to be present at next token stop. In a way the token system serves as checkpoints, which allows the contractor to make sure that all buses are running at proper timings and his buses get maximum passengers instead of his competitors. This definitely proves my point, it is a perfect management system which considers the employee’s as well as the supervisor’s level of intelligence.

Probably most of you are thinking that it can be made further better if the speed issue is resolved and it can be done by keeping a steady speed which allows them to reach their next token place safely........this question tends to rise in every passenger’s mind who has the misfortune to travel in such buses ......the best answer can only be given by the driver.

However, the human mind tends to provide explanation for everything and my mind also tried to provide one to satisfy me which is that due to their laziness and mismanagement they go slowly and slowly and slowly then suddenly realize ............"Oh man!! Im really late" .Waking up from their deep slumber they try to reach their destination quickly and to accomplish that, they drive frantically.

During this bravado they tend to ignore petty issues, like trying not to cause accidents, letting passengers get up in the bus safely etc. If you are lucky enough you get through traveling in the bus without any bruises and without praying on rosary. Uptill now I have been really lucky .......lets hope that lady luck continues to shower her blessing on all the karachites who are doomed to travel in the public transport.

So for now, take care and ....................... Have a safe journey :)

Adios
Noreen Masroor