Public transit is a nation's backbone, promoting environmental sustainability, reducing social inequality, and boosting economic growth. For Pakistan, an efficient public transport system is both a convenience and a necessity. However, the nation's public transportation system is dysfunctional due to decades of neglect, inadequate funding, and poor management. To unlock Pakistan's full potential, we need to address the problems with public transit by seeking inspiration from other countries’ success and implementing long-term reform plans into action.
Historically, Pakistan's experience with public transport has been a patchwork of neglect and ambition. Projects such as the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and the launch of urban bus services were seen as advancement in its early years. In the 1970s, the Swedish government and Public Urban Transport Cooperation (PUTC) partnered to bring Volvo buses to Lahore to enhance public transit. However, despite the initial investment, the system failed due to mismanagement, insufficient continued investment, and a lack of project expansion, which caused PUTC services to collapse by 1998.
Pakistan's public transport programs have frequently failed due to several important problems. The main issues included an over-reliance on the private sector, ineffective administration, and a failure to build high-capacity transport networks. Services became fragmented and inefficient due to the lack of robust public institutions to integrate and control them. Additionally, the neglect of railway systems, which could manage higher passenger quantities, worsened the situation. Furthermore, the lack of sufficient funding, coordination, and long-term planning contributed to the decline of public transit in Pakistan.
This decline has resulted in severe consequences. The growing number of private vehicles is one of the leading causes of smog and pollution affecting the cities. The increase in the number of vehicles on roads is also giving rise to frequent traffic jams, which result in late arrivals and road accidents.
In Pakistan, reviving public transport calls for a comprehensive approach. Firstly, the government must invest in newer, more advanced trains, electric buses, and larger metro networks. Secondly, the emphasis needs to be on combining different forms of transportation, such as buses, trains, and non-motorised options like bicycles, into an uninterrupted system. Public-private partnerships and technology can ensure long-term sustainability, supporting finance and innovation. Moreover, there needs to be proper legislation on the use of private vehicles. In Bogotá, Colombia, the "Pico y Placa" policy encourages people to take public transportation or carpool by limiting automobile use during peak hours based on license plate numbers; vehicles with number plates ending on 1-5 can circulate on odd days, and others can circulate on even days. Similarly, in nations like China and Japan, big companies and educational institutions frequently offer shuttle services to staff and students to lessen traffic and encourage environmentally friendly transportation.
There is a need to stop stigmatising shared transport and accept public transport as a good substitute for private vehicles
Many global case studies demonstrate successful transit models. Singapore is notable for its seamless integration of public transport and urban design, ensuring that citizens are never far from a mode of transportation. Istanbul has shown how smart expansion can satisfy the demands of an expanding population through its investments in metro and tram networks. Urban transportation in one of the most crowded cities in the world has been transformed by India's Delhi Metro, demonstrating the power of effective design and implementation. These examples have valuable lessons for Pakistan’s public transit, highlighting how crucial it is to prioritise sustainability and connectivity.
Furthermore, Pakistan must have a strong National Public Transit Policy for significant reform in public transit. The top priority of that strategy should be the safety and accessibility of transit networks. To promote social justice and sustainable transportation investment, the government may introduce targeted subsidies for low-income passengers, as demonstrated by Bogota's TransMilenio system, which offers vulnerable populations discounted rates in addition to government incentives for clean-energy buses.
Even though infrastructure and legislation are important, the public also has an important role to play. There is a need to stop stigmatising shared transport and accept public transport as a good substitute for private vehicles. Civil society organisations could exert pressure for reforms, increase public awareness, and hold local governments accountable for maintaining transit networks. Above all, for public transit projects to be successful in the long run, there must be a cultural shift towards shared and sustainable public transport.
In conclusion, reviving Pakistan's public transport system is a social, economic, and environmental necessity. In this regard, Pakistan must take inspiration from the successful models of public transport of other states, address domestic issues, and encourage cooperation across the public, corporate, and governmental sectors to have a more interconnected, sustainable, and affluent future in the domain of transport.