PUBLIC TRANSPORT

I have been travelling by public transport for quite some time but now have become regular as these days due to my busy schedule,I have to travel regularly by local transport.Today,as I boarded the infamous and the ubiquitous toyota,I was appalled by the conditions of the vehicle (as a matter of fact I have always been).The way the commuters are literally crammed in the vehicle most appalingly conjures images of hen squeezed in the dingy poultry farms.And I bet you dont need to ask me whether the buses are air-conditioned or not,do you? Drenched in sweat,I sat between two men which could easily give Sumo Wrestlers a run for their money. This is what I have to bear with.This is Pakistan.This is why I have so frequently and so monotonously empahasized on education. EDUCATION CAN SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS INCLUDING THIS. Most of the drivers and conductors have usually never seen a classroom throughout their life.I would not be as naive as to suggest that engineers from MIT should be imported to drive buses to solve problems.What I merely suggest is that at least these drivers should have basic education.Then,they would know their work ethics (believe me, I have seen and heard a number of things about the drivers and conductors to make anybody's ears stand).They would know their pivotal role in reducing global warming and reducing congestion on roads and hence,would feel a sense of responsibility while doing their work.I think we need to learn some lessons from Singapore and Britain about introducing a world-class public transport system and that is not it.We also need an equally competent labour force to make it work and that can only happen if we have educated people around to do it.using public transport is a merit goods.It has the positive externalities of reducing global warming and reducing road congestion.So,for the greater good,we should improve our public transport and improve our literacy rate,for heaven's sake.