Exploring residents’ views of Kuwait public transit system
‘Many drivers are careless and rude’
Getting from one destination to another in Kuwait is very challenging without a car, which increases reliance on public transport. Buses, extensively used for commuting to work, school, grocery shopping and beyond, remain the most widely used form of public transportation in the country. After gathering diverse views of residents regarding the current state of bus services, it became evident that despite significant improvements in recent years, there is still considerable room for development. “The majority of drivers are very careless on the road; they drive unsafely and are rude,” remarked Shanavas, an Indian resident. “Most of them do not stop properly at all bus stops,” he added.
Mariam, a Bangladeshi resident who has been riding the bus for over 16 years, echoed his words. Recounting multiple incidents, she mentioned that her ride back home from school would often be delayed by an hour, despite both locations being in the same area. The reason behind this, she claimed, is that “when bus drivers spot students waiting at the bus stop, they often choose to skip it entirely to avoid accommodating them and the noise they may make”, which results in leaving even non-students stranded.
Safaa, an Egyptian resident, expressed frustration with the lack of scheduled timings for her bus route, often resulting in lengthy waits of 30 to 45 minutes at the bus stop. She suggested deploying mobile apps, like some public transportation companies have done, to provide real-time arrival information for all buses. On a positive note, she acknowledged: “However, the best thing about the bus is that its prices are very affordable, and it helps me save a lot of money.”
Abdelrahman, a Jordanian resident who has been riding the bus for almost a year and a half, noted: “For me, the main difficulty is during summer, since I have to walk a long distance to reach the bus stop.” He said sometimes he might need to walk two kilometers to reach the nearest bus stop. Therefore, he highlighted the need to consider increasing bus stops to cover all areas.
Moreover, Abdelrahman pointed out the inconvenience of buses being unavailable after 11 pm, affecting late-night workers and those who wish to enjoy their weekends late into the night. While he acknowledged the cleanliness and technological advancements of most buses, he emphasized the need for improved hygiene standards.
Mariam elaborated on this matter. “Some buses don’t have good air conditioning, so when there are too many people, it gets very hot and smelly, making the ride uncomfortable.” On the other hand, she acknowledged significant developments in multiple aspects, including spacious interiors and improved seating. She highlighted technological advancements added to some buses as the most useful, including TV screens showing the live location on the routes and notifying riders at every stop. In addition, cameras have been introduced to make the ride safer for all.
Alaska, who chose not to disclose her nationality, voiced her perspective on enhancing Kuwait’s transportation system. “I strongly believe Kuwait should draw inspiration from cities like Dubai and countries like the UK by introducing a subway or tram system,” she suggested. She emphasized the need for greater focus on this matter, suggesting that change will only occur by shifting people’s attitudes towards public transportation. This will only happen when people recognize that this mode of transportation should be accessible to everyone, eliminating any class disparities or feelings of superiority, she added.
Despite their respective concerns, all the individuals expressed a preference for buses over taxis as their favorite mode of public transportation. “The problem with taxis is that there’s not enough supervision over them, leading to a disregard for taximeters,” Abdelrahman noted, explaining that taxi drivers determine the cost of a trip based on their own preferences.
Meanwhile, Shanavas observed, “Most of the cabbies do not keep their taxis clean; some eat, drink and smoke while driving.” Mariam also emphasized that buses will always remain a more environmentally friendly choice for her. “The more buses are used, the fewer cars will be on the road, resulting in less harm to the environment,” she noted.