Optimum use of school buses urged

Islamabad:Dr. Muhammad Zaman, the founder of the School of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University, has called for an innovative strategy to optimise the use of institutional buses in Islamabad. In light of increasing traffic congestion, rising fuel costs, and the environmental impact of excessive vehicle use, Dr. Zaman advocates for a coordinated system that ensures the efficient use of buses from government ministries, divisions, schools, colleges, and universities says a press release.

Speaking on the subject, Dr. Zaman said, “The underutilization of institutional buses during off-peak hours or non-working days is a missed opportunity to save national resources and reduce environmental degradation. We need to develop a strategy that maximizes the use of these vehicles through shared services and integrated transportation planning.”

Key proposal highlights: Shared use of institutional buses: Dr. Zaman emphasised the need for a system where buses belonging to various government ministries, divisions, schools, colleges, and universities can be shared across institutions. “Many of these buses remain idle for long periods,” he explained, “but with a central management system, they can be used for inter-institutional travel, reducing the need for private vehicles.”

Reduced fuel consumption and emissions: The proposal stresses the environmental benefits of reducing the number of private cars on the roads. “A single institutional bus can transport dozens of people, effectively reducing fuel consumption and lowering carbon emissions,” Dr. Zaman added.