Public Transport in Pakistan: A Critical Overview

Urban transport problems in Pakistan are managed by building larger and better roads. By contrast, the principles of sustainable transport encourage using lowcost public transport that could perform well in mixed land use and high density Pakistani cities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical overview of public transport policy in Pakistan from the British India period through to recent years. This overview highlights the core problem of the continuing failure of Pakistani cities to develop and manage their public transport systems in such a way as to provide a high level of mobility, equity, and environmental sustainability. The paper identifies several factors, including the importance of governance, capacity building, and urban planning in providing adequate, efficient, and effective public transport in Pakistan.