Karachi Traffic Police Just Started Fining Intercity Buses That Skip Terminals and It’s Long Overdue

If you’ve ever been stuck on University Road or Shahrah-e-Faisal behind a Daewoo or Faisal Movers bus crawling at 20 km/h while passengers get on and off in the middle of the road, you know exactly why this is happening.

Karachi Traffic Police have finally had enough.

They’ve started issuing e-challans to every intercity bus that enters the city without going to the proper terminals, Sohrab Goth or the new Karachi Bus Terminal at Y-Junction.

No more dropping passengers at random spots in Gulshan, Johar, Malir, or near the Northern Bypass. No more parking on the service road to wait for passengers. If the bus doesn’t use the designated terminal, the driver gets fined on the spot through the e-challan system.

Why They’re Doing This Now

Simple. Those buses are killing the city’s traffic.

One intercity bus stopping illegally on the main road creates a chain reaction. Cars swerve. Rickshaws squeeze in. Motorbikes go on the wrong side. Suddenly, a 10-minute jam turns into 45 minutes of pure hell.

And it’s not just an inconvenience. It’s dangerous.

People running across six lanes to catch a bus. Passengers standing on the roadside with luggage. Kids getting off in the dark near Hawksbay turn. We’ve all seen accidents waiting to happen.

Traffic police say most intercity buses were openly ignoring the terminal rule. Drivers would rather pay touts PKR 500 to 1000 than go to the terminal because picking up passengers on the roadside is more profitable.

Now that the bribe money is gone. The fine is much higher, and it goes straight to the government.

How the New System Works

Police teams are stationed at key entry points, Northern Bypass, Super Highway, Hub River Road, and National Highway.

They’re using cameras and patrol vehicles to spot buses that don’t have the terminal sticker or route permit showing they entered properly.

Fine is issued electronically. The driver gets the challan on the spot, or it’s sent to the owner’s registered number. No cash exchange. No “adjust kar lo, sir” drama.

Repeat offenders face heavier penalties – up to vehicle impoundment and license suspension.

Traffic DIG Ahmed Nawaz Cheema has made it clear: this isn’t a temporary campaign. It’s a permanent enforcement.

What Bus Companies Are Saying

Most big operators like Daewoo, Faisal Movers, Bilal Travels, and Skyways have already started following the rule quietly. They know resistance is pointless.

But smaller companies and “route wala” buses are complaining. They say the terminals are too far, passengers don’t want to go there, and touts at the terminals charge too much.

Fair points. But the rule has existed for years. Everyone just ignored it.

How This Affects Regular People

Good news first:

• Less random bus stops = smoother flow on main roads

• Fewer accidents at illegal pickup points

• Passengers will actually use proper terminals with waiting areas, toilets, and security

The bad news:

• You might have to travel a bit further to catch your bus

• Ticket prices could go up slightly (companies will pass on the cost of following the rules)

• The first few weeks will be chaotic as drivers and passengers adjust

But honestly? Most Karachiites I’ve spoken to are happy. People are sick of buses treating the city like their personal parking lot.

Will This Actually Fix Anything?

By itself, no.

Karachi’s traffic is a monster with many heads. Encroachments, bad signals, no parking policy, VIP movements, all need fixing.

But this is one solid step.

When intercity buses stop blocking roads, it frees up space for thousands of cars daily. University Road alone could see 20 to 30% better flow in peak hours.

If police keep this up for six months without backing down (the real test), other cities will copy it too.

What Passengers Should Do Now

If you’re travelling to Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, or Hyderabad:

• Book tickets that clearly mention departure from Sohrab Goth or Karachi Bus Terminal

• Reach the terminal early, don’t expect roadside pickup anymore

• Use apps like Bookme or company apps to confirm the exact terminal

And if you see a bus still stopping illegally? Report it on the traffic police helpline 1915. They’re actually responding these days.

Bottom Line

This isn’t about punishing bus drivers. It’s about taking the city back from chaos.

For too long, rules only applied to small cars and bikes. The big vehicles did whatever they wanted. Now, finally, someone is saying no.

Let’s see if they stick to it.

Because if they do, Karachi traffic might actually become bearable one day. For more updates, visit DrivePK.com