Shortage of bus shelters strains commuters

Unavailability, poor condition of bus stop shelters have become a daily inconvenience for commuters in Lahore

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LAHORE:

For people travelling in a car, bus stops are just another space for flashy hoardings hence the availability or shortage of facilities would rarely be a concern. But for people travelling daily through public transport, the little box at the edge of the road can turn into a death trap during the summer heat.

Although the Punjab Transport Company has initiated a plan to construct modern bus shelters with a budget of Rs16 million, both experts and citizens agree that these efforts are far too limited and slow-moving to meet the needs of a mega city like Lahore.

According to the Punjab Transport Company (PTC), there are only 194 proper bus shelters across the city, with an additional 600 temporary stops (flag posts). Many of these shelters have limited seating capacity. Commuters in busy areas like Allama Iqbal Road, Egerton Road, Circular Road, and various sections of GT Road often complain about the lack or complete absence of shelters.

One passenger lamented that people were forced to stand under the sun or rain, often having to take refuge in nearby shops. A young commuter, Fahad complained that even the Metro Bus waiting area had no roof for shielding passengers from the heat. Similarly, Muhammad Irfan, a resident of Shahdara, disclosed that the shelters lacked seating, were dirty, and had advertisement boards that further restricted passenger space.

Fatima Batool, a daily commuter from Mughalpura to Model Town, revealed that she often had to wait for buses under the sun, and even when there was a shelter, it was so small that only a few people could fit inside. Likewise, Ayesha Nawaz, a student from Model Town, complained that in many areas, it was not even clear where the bus would stop. “Shelters should at least offer drinking water, lighting, and secure waiting areas for women,” said Nawaz.

According to urban planners, a city like Lahore needs more bus shelters to protect commuters from extreme weather and to manage heavy passenger loads. An official from the Punjab Transport Authority confirmed that even today, Lahore urgently needed 1,200 to 1,500 new bus stop shelters. Experts believe that the growing population and increasing number of vehicles have put immense pressure on urban infrastructure, yet no comprehensive planning has been seen to improve the number and quality of bus shelters.

Dr Obaidullah Nadeem, Professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, explained that when building shelters, it was essential to consider the location, traffic flow, and passenger volume.

“Shelters should be constructed slightly away from the road so that when a bus stops, it doesn’t disrupt regular traffic. Modern shelters should include solar-powered lighting, digital timetables, and strong roofing to protect commuters from extreme weather. Even if not digital, there should be clear displays to help guide passengers on route information,” suggested Dr Nadeem.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Punjab Transport Company, claimed that the government had not only improved existing shelters but also had plans to build 200 more bus shelters in the upcoming fiscal year. Among them, 50 will be constructed with a modern design, featuring separate waiting areas for men and women, a small tuck shop and Wi-Fi facilities.