Karachi's transport mess

The Sindh chief minister's announcement of a comprehensive transport master plan represents the latest attempt to address the city's chronic mobility crisis. CM Murad Ali Shah's plan would see the number of buses in the city rise 15-fold, going from about 1,000 right now to 15,000 citywide. The plan also takes an integrated approach — combining bus rapid transit systems, introducing metro light rail, and reviving the Karachi Circular Railway — with the aim of creating a sustainable urban mobility model that could finally transform how Karachi moves.

However, Karachi has a long history of introducing transport reforms that do more harm than good. Misplaced priorities have led to heavy investment in flyovers and underpasses that serve less than 10% of the population, while the majority of citizens must traverse crumbling infrastructure using limited transport options that disproportionately affect low-income communities and women. Meanwhile, several city buses are parked at depots due to operational and maintenance issues.

Successful implementation of the new master plan depends on transparent governance and continuous funding. The World Bank's support provides crucial credibility, but sustained political commitment across electoral cycles is equally important. The plan must also prioritise equitable access by ensuring affordable fares and safe transport for women through initiatives like the pink ladies-only buses already in operation.

The transport master plan will require much political will to operationalise, but the PPP's electoral dominance in Sindh should make it easier to properly implement and sustain. If done properly, it could catalyse broader urban renewal, reducing congestion, improving air quality and enhancing economic productivity.

Unfortunately, it is not just transport in Karachi that has a history of falling by the wayside. Despite the PPP having almost 20 uninterrupted years in charge of Sindh and Karachi, the country's largest city remains one of the most troubled metropolises in the world. That alone is reason enough to lower expectations for the plan from 'game-changer' to incremental improvement.