Sharjah bus-stops lack shelter

SHARJAH — Lack of bus shelters has become the main cause of concern for many travellers using the recently-launched bus service in Sharjah.

by

Asma Ali Zain

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Published: Tue 17 Jun 2008, 1:26 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:30 PM

With the summer sun beating down, commuters say that waiting for a bus to arrive has become a major exercise.

Currently, Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has launched a single route, No. 14, which runs from Al Sharq Terminal through Al Arooba Street, Al Zahra Street, King Abdulaziz Street, Rolla Square, Al Ittihad Square Park, King Faisal Street, Sharjah National Park on to Sharjah International Airport.

Besides, 68 bus-stop signs out of the total 1,300 have already been placed on different routes, but passengers say that lack of shelters at the stops has made it difficult for them to wait for a bus in the sweltering heat.

“I appreciate the new service, and I also realise that it will take time to kick off properly, but I feel that lack of shelters is a big drawback since we have to wait for a long time under the sun for the buses to arrive,” says Mohammed Siddique, a carpenter.

He adds: “Since the bus service started in the peak summer months, the Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) officials could have at least provided a basic cover and a seating arrangement.”

Buses are scheduled to arrive/depart from bus stops every 16 minutes. However, there are delays due to traffic bottlenecks.

For Krishna S. Murthi, a peon, lack of shelters, remains a pressing issue. “I am very sensitive to the sunlight, but since I have no choice but to use the bus, I wait near the bus sign on King Faisal Road under the sun so that I do not miss my bus.” With a flat fare of Dh3.50 and free travel for children below 10 years, initially 11 buses are being used on Route 14. Despite repeated attempts, SPTC officials were not available for comment on the issue of bus shelters.


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