Faisalabad’s Rs. 70 Billion Bus Project Declared Impractical by Experts

Town planners and urban experts have raised serious concerns over the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for Faisalabad, questioning its feasibility given the city’s existing infrastructure, reported Express Tribune. The Rs. 70 billion project approved by the Punjab government to enhance affordable intra-city transport has been criticized for lacking essential elements required to make it viable for the city’s unique transit needs.

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has been working to implement this metro bus project, aiming to offer residents a comfortable and cost-effective commuting option. However, experts argue that Faisalabad’s infrastructure and urban mobility patterns are not aligned with the requirements of a mass transit system like the BRT.

Nadeem Khurshid, a private-sector town planner, stressed that launching a BRT without establishing a feeder network could result in low utilization. “Effective mass transit systems require feeder services—buses, trams, or bike-sharing schemes—that bring riders to transit stations,” Khurshid explained. Without these connections, he warned, access to the main BRT routes would be limited, potentially reducing ridership and the system’s effectiveness.

Khurshid also noted that in cities worldwide, the success of mass transit relies heavily on connected feeder networks, which allow residents from suburban and less populated areas to use the service efficiently. These networks, he said, are essential for reaching adequate ridership levels, which justify the high investment involved. He further highlighted that constructing a capital-intensive project like BRT without a public transit foundation could result in subpar returns on investment.

Another urban planner from the government sector, who requested anonymity, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that introducing a high-capacity transit system in a city lacking a public transportation culture presents significant challenges. In cities with established feeder services, residents are accustomed to public transport, easing the transition to complex transit systems like the BRT.

The planner also pointed out that BRT systems are typically most effective when integrated with other transit options, such as buses and light rail, to reduce congestion and boost overall mobility. Experts believe cities benefit most when they gradually develop their transit networks, beginning with simpler options like regular bus services before investing in larger, high-capacity projects.