Shafaq News- Baghdad
Baghdad's red buses continue toprovide a low-cost travel option for thousands of commuters, helping easemovement across some of the Iraqi capital's busiest districts.
Operated by the Iraqi Company forPassenger and Delegation Transport, which falls under the Transport Ministry, thebuses serve major routes linking Al-Tahrir Square, Al-Shorja, Bab Al-Muadham,and the al-Karkh and al-Rusafa sides of the city. The fleet includes bothsingle- and double-decker buses.
For many residents, affordabilityremains the main attraction. A trip between Al-Nasr Square and Bab Al-Muadhamcosts just 500 Iraqi dinars (about $0.325), making the service a practicaloption for government employees and laborers.
"They have become a reallifeline for people with limited incomes," commuter Abdulilah told ShafaqNews. "Even though their numbers are limited and we sometimes wait morethan 15 minutes at bus stops, they remain a better alternative to costlytaxis."
Commuters acknowledged that thebuses require greater maintenance and cleaner facilities, but described them asan essential public service. They called for an expansion of the fleet, arguingthat stronger public transportation would improve mobility and help reducecongestion across the capital.
: New roads, old jams: Baghdad struggles to untangle daily gridlock