Editorial | Public Transport is better 

Each day, roads throughout the Kashmir Valley are filled with cars. Congested traffic jams are a daily norm. People are frequently late to work, school, or home. Even ambulances are stuck in the traffic. Tempers are short, and tensions are escalating. Obviously, something needs to change to improve our roads and make them safer.

One of the main causes of all this chaos is the sheer number of private vehicles. Increasingly, more and more individuals want to drive their own vehicle or take a two-wheeler. They believe it saves time and is convenient. But the reality is not so. One car can transport only one or two individuals, but they occupy a lot of space. There are thousands of such vehicles that are congesting our roads. They also consume a lot of fuel and emit more pollution.

There is a way better than this public transportation. Buses, minibuses, and van pools can transport large groups of people at once. One single bus can take 30 or so cars off the road. That translates into fewer vehicles, reduced traffic, and faster travel for all. The more people who ride the bus, the less crowded the roads will be.

In a city like Srinagar, good public transport can be a game-changer. Imagine clean, new buses every 10 minutes. They go to all the significant locations markets, hospitals, offices, schools. They are women-friendly, children-friendly, and friendly for the elderly. They are more affordable than daily driving a car. This is not a fantasy. It can happen if we plan it well.

Another advantage of buses is that they reduce pollution. In the winter season, air in the Valley gets filled with exhaust smoke. Most of this is due to car exhausts. If the government hires electric buses or clean fuel ones, we can relax. One electric bus can remove dozens of cars from the road. That translates to cleaner air, healthier lungs, and less disease.

But the public transportation should be well planned. Bus routes should be in all parts of the city and towns. Small buses can travel through narrow roads, and larger ones can remain in major roads. Proper bus stops, clear boards, and scheduled times should be there. Apps on mobile phones can also inform people when the next bus will arrive.

Safety is extremely crucial. People do not travel by bus because they don’t feel secure. Buses need to be hygienic and properly illuminated. They need CCTV cameras and professional drivers. Women should feel secure to ride alone. Traffic police can ensure cars and bikes don’t clog bus stops or bus lines.

Drivers also need care. They must be trained well and paid on time. Tired or angry drivers can cause accidents. A happy and skilled driver means safer roads and better service for passengers.

We also have to think differently. Most people think that traveling in a private car is better. But those days are over now. One person per car makes traffic bad for all. The bus is not shameful. It is intelligent. It benefits the entire Valley. Public transport is now being adopted by cities worldwide to solve traffic and pollution problems. Kashmir has to do the same.

Colleges and schools can also contribute. They can educate students about the importance of using public transport. They can organize campaigns such as “Bus Day” once every week. If youth realise the necessity, they themselves can bring the change.

Public transport is necessary for the poor. Not everybody can have a car. But everybody has to move around — to work, to a hospital, or to a shop. Good public transport provides equal rights to everybody. It constructs a just and compassionate society.

Tourists also create traffic jams. But they do not want to spend hours in traffic jams. If they get good buses from the airport to hotels and tourist destinations, they will use them gladly. This will improve their trip and benefit the Valley as well.

The time to act is now. The government must invest in clean, modern, and safe public transport. New buses should be bought, old ones repaired, and drivers trained. People must be told how buses can help us all. Roads must get special bus lanes. This work should start without delay.

Citizens can play a role as well. Use your vehicle less. Catch a bus once a week. Walk to a nearby stop. Educate your children on road sharing. Request your leaders to make public transport better. A small action by each one of us can create a big difference.

Kashmir does not require more automobiles. Kashmir requires more compassion. Kashmir requires individuals to share space and travel together. Public transport allows this better than anything else. Let us all take the bus and clear our roads.