Ain Khalid rues absence public transport
Residents and operators of business establishments in Ain Khalid rue the absence of public transport bus service in the area, which they say has limited connectivity even with places in the neighbourhood.
While interacting with some residents of the area, the population of which has increased considerably in recent years, it was found that no buses operated in most parts of Ain Khalid.
Many companies have provided accommodation to executive bachelors in the newly-built housing units in Ain Khalid. As a result, there has been a significant rise in the area’s population, it is understood.
The surrounding areas are also home to a large number of offices, including those of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), which the country’s residents visit in large numbers at regular intervals.
“There has been no bus service here though a number of new accommodation units have come up in recent years,” said a shopkeeper who has set up a new venture in Ain Khalid.
“When I travel to the city, I often see people waiting for taxis at many locations here,” a resident said, adding that even the availability of taxis is “not that good” in the inner areas.
“The other day, I had to wait for close to 45 minutes to get a taxi to travel to Muntazah as I had given my car for maintenance to a local garage. Had there been a bus service, I would have taken that to reach my destination,” said another resident who works with a city firm.
Though a few Industrial Area-bound buses pass through some of the fringe areas of Ain Khalid, these are considered “far from enough” to meet the requirement of those living in the inner areas, it is learnt.
Sources said that public transport connectivity from Ain Khalid to Salwa Road, too, is poor as buses pass through only one part of the sprawling area.
Some residents said circular services operating at one-hour intervals (at least) can help meet the immediate requirement of commuters in Ain Khalid. Further, if buses are operated in such a manner that MoI offices like the fingerprinting facility and transport department are connected, it will be of immense help to not only the residents but also those coming from other areas, they added.
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