This is with reference to the report “Riyadh transport system to serve 3.6m daily” (July 22). Introduction of public transport system in the Kingdom is a very good step. The government needs to take additional measures to promote the use of public transport. In all major developed countries, use of public transport is preferred over private cars. Unfortunately, in our part of the world we have become too status conscious and treat private transport as status symbol. I personally know people who make fun of others who use buses to travel within the city. People wrongly believe that if a person is affluent, he should own a good car and if that person uses public transport he is labeled a miser and people usually pass the following remarks:
“What is the use of all this money, if one cannot keep a car for his use?” “This person will perhaps take all the money to his grave.”
We can assess the mindset from the above remarks. These people don’t know that top government officials in many developed western countries like the United Kingdom use subway train to commute within cities or between different cities.
In order to promote public transport, the Saudi authorities should try to introduce measures making it difficult to own cars. Banks should be made to raise their profit margins and processing fees. Without taking such measures, mass transit programs cannot succeed and may run into loses.
Media campaigns should also be launched to create awareness about this issue. The increasing number of cars overburdens the civic infrastructure; create traffic gridlocks and leads to environmental pollution. In our city Jeddah, it is increasingly becoming difficult to find parking spaces in and around important public places. Due to frequent traffic jams, people are forced to spend long hours outside leading to various social and health problems. — Abdul Jabbar Khan, Jeddah
Mass transit system
