Why can’t university students take free metro ride?

LAHORE: Though the Punjab caretaker government has introduced a policy that allow students, senior citizens and special persons to travel for free on metro buses and orange trains, the university students have found themselves in a dilemma due to the specific requirement of uniforms.

Sitting at the Kalma Chowk metro station in Lahore, Saba, a bachelor’s student at the Punjab University, couldn’t fathom the government’s decision.

In an interview with Urdu News, she expressed her doubts, saying, “This facility isn’t for university students because university students don’t wear uniforms, especially in government universities where there is no uniform requirement.”

She continued, “Even in private universities, there’s no uniform mandatory for bachelor’s and master’s students. Therefore, this government policy only applies to 12th-grade students.”

Saba wasn’t alone in her confusion. Many students standing at Lahore’s metro bus stations criticized this limited free travel offer from the government.

Another student, Sahar Javed, studying at Government Science College, pointed out, “When we found out that the government had made metro bus travel free for students, we were delighted. But then we were told at the metro stations that wearing a uniform is mandatory before availing the free ride facility.”

She added, “We even showed them our student IDs, but we were still asked to pay for the ticket.”

After assuming office, Punjab’s Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had announced his intention to provide free metro bus travel for students.

Metro, Orange Line offer free service to senior citizens, special persons and students

Sahar Fiaz, another student, shared her perspective, saying, “The metro train fare has now increased, and it costs Rs30. “For someone who has to travel on the metro bus every day and cannot afford it, the government policy should be extended to university students to genuinely benefit them.”

But why did the government impose the uniform requirement for free metro travel for students?

Punjab’s Information Minister, Amir Mir, clarified the government’s stance on this matter.

He explained, “When the decision was made to provide free travel to students and senior citizens, there was a debate about how to implement it properly. It was then decided that the condition of wearing a uniform is necessary to prevent misuse of this facility. It is, in a way, funded from the national treasury.”

Mir further elaborated, “If the uniform requirement is removed, anyone could claim to be a student and exploit this facility for personal gain.”

Answering a question, he emphasized the uniform requirement as a measure to ensure the integrity of the policy. The decision has left many university students in a dilemma about whether they should don uniform for the sake of a free metro ride.