The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has installed more than 500 state-of-the-art bus stop shelters around the city and 110 are operational.

But one resident, who preferred anonymity, said some of the shelters are already showing signs of neglect with some unscrupulous elements dirtying the interior by spitting and littering.

"It's very horrible. It has to be maintained or people won't use it," he said. "It's just been opened recently and and look at its condition."

However, Krishna Kumar, an Indian national residing in Karama, said the RTA had taken an important initiative by installing separate rubbish bins for recyclable materials.

"There are bins immediately next to the shelters but most of the people don't use them," he said. "There should be penalties if there anybody is caught damaging the shelter of writing graffiti."

Another bus traveller placed the blame squarely on fellow commuters and said awareness needs to be promoted.

"Its already open but people should be educated," she said. "It's for them but they should know about it."

The Roads and Transport Authority is expected to have 1000 state-of-the-art air-conditioned bus shelters by the end of the year.