A DECISION by Bahrain University to cancel bus transportation to and from its three campuses has caused an uproar.
Thirty-two MPs are urging the Cabinet to overturn the university’s decision and resume the free bus service for students at the Sakhir, Isa Town and Salmaniya campuses.
Several students have taken to social media to express their outrage, adding that they couldn’t afford private transportation or even pay for public buses.
Students’ Affairs dean Fatima Al Malki said the decision to shift to the Bahrain Public Transport Company followed six months of negotiations for the best course of action that protects the environment, is reliable and affordable.
“The public buses are on time, air-conditioned and have WiFi besides being environmentally- and disability-friendly and prioritising seating for women,” she said.
“We are still in the first phase of the agreement with the company and negotiations are underway to introduce student cards that will have multiple benefits including reduced fares.
“The routes could be expanded in future to accommodate all locations and we are assessing feasibility of having new stops in areas that are currently out of reach.”
She added that at the moment there were 26 trips daily to and from the university.
“The first bus service is available at 6am and the last at 7pm throughout the week and even on weekends, if necessary.”
The company has 140 buses across 23 routes daily.
The fares are 300 fils for a single trip (275 fils if using the GO Card), 700 fils for a full-day card, BD3 for a weekly card and BD12 for a monthly card.
Parliament services committee chairman Ahmed Al Ansari said many university students were already from poor families who are exempt from paying fees and now they would be forced to pay for the bus.
MP Mahmood Al Bahrani said the university should be using financial support provided by the government to ease students’ hardships.
“Just a few days ago the university announced a tender for face detection and number plate recognition surveillance cameras with the lowest bid being BD680,000 and the maximum BD2 million,” he said.
“The university should be investing in students and not some useless smart security with the conventional being more than enough.
“Cancelling transportation is making many parents’ lives a living hell as they have to either get stuck in traffic to drop their children and get late for work, find someone to help them pay for the company or just tell their children to sit at home and that’s the worst thing to ever happen.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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