KABUL (SW): Kabul residents have been irked by dearth of proper public transport system in the fast-developing city.
Zahra and Zohra, two female residents of the city, told Salam Watandar, private cars operating as public transport vehicles, force two passengers to sit in the front seat of the car, or charge double fare from someone sitting alone on it. They went on to say the drivers often touch and sexually abuse female passengers.
They lamented that the urban culture has been tarnished, and the residents are not taking into consideration the environment and social norms while commuting. Zahra highlighted that there are not enough public transport services, and on top of that men often grab all the vacant seats, and leave no opportunities for women and girls to get onboard.
The Kabul residents have urged the government to take effective measures in improving state of public transport in the city. They call for strict measures to stop harassment of girls on the main roads by men in cars.
One of the city’s public car driver Wazir Gul said that the traffic police have never objected at sitting of two people in the front seat.
Meanwhile, Syed Mehboob Sadat, director traffic affairs in Kabul, told Salam Watandar fines have been imposed on drivers with two passengers sitting in the front.
ENDS
