Red Buses ‘spur traffic jams’

When Red Bus service was introduced by the Transportation Ministry a few years ago, it was seen as a solution to the Kingdom’s “weak public transport system” as well as traffic congestion. However, sources say these buses are adding to traffic woes as they apply brakes near bus stops adversely affecting the vehicular movement on roads.

“During the peak hours, motorists regularly get caught behind these buses when they stop at bus shelters. Across the world, public transportation systems are introduced to ease traffic congestion and here these buses are adding to it,” said a source, who doesn’t want to be named.

“I have seen these buses at times stopping at undesignated stops, contributing to congestion.” Traffic bottlenecks are very common in areas like Gudaibiya and Tubli and badly planned bus shelters could be counted as one of the reasons, Rajesh K, a civil engineer with a private company, said.

“Honest efforts are needed to reduce traffic congestion. One of the things that could be done is to relocate these bus shelters. “The bus shelters should be relocated to places, where these buses can go off the main roads for passengers to board without disrupting the traffic flow.