This is in response to the article by Rasheed Abou-Alsamh “Time to promote public transport” (March 30). The author has raised an important issue. I fully endorse his views.
It is true that without concerted government efforts, culture of public transport can never be strengthened and promoted.
The Kingdom is perhaps the only country in the world without a proper mass transit system. Even Dubai, which is a much smaller country, has a world-class public transport system. People must be taught that riding buses does not reduce their social status. A public transport system in the Kingdom will help ensure a decrease in road crashes and the resultant fatalities and a better environment as well. The Kingdom has all the resources to initiate a countrywide ambitious mass transit project.
This will also help create thousands of job opportunities for the local population. I also agree with the writer calling for women-only buses in the Kingdom. Such a service will be perhaps first of its kind in the modern world. This will help the womenfolk carry on their activities with much ease and without the fear of being harassed by unruly drivers. — Shahid Khan, Riyadh
Promoting public transport culture
