PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND URBAN-DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN

Improvements to urban public transport in Less Developed Countries are of growing importance as population, motorization and associated prob lems increase. There is evidence that urban development is being hampe red by the inadequate supply of public transport services. This paper provides instances in Pakistan, and with specific reference to the cit y of Lahore, which demonstrate that poorly administered public transpo rt, providing inefficient, unreliable, low quality services is leading to the choice of alternative modes of travel. In turn this contribute s to a worsening of congestion and other transport problems. The paper also highlights spatial inequalities in the provision of public trans port services, with poorer services in more peripheral locations and t he failure to provide services in conjunction with planned or unplanne d urban expansion. It is argued that current regulations inhibit rathe r than assist the development of improved public transport, and that u nder improved regulatory systems travel needs generally, and in periph eral locations specifically, can be much better served. In addition, m ore orderly urban development would be assisted. Regulatory improvemen ts would involve tougher quality requirements but a minimalist approac h to quantity restrictions.