The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES 2.6 People’s Perception of Travel Situation The Study has conducted a large-scale HIS (Home Interview Survey) covering about 18,000 households. In the interview, a considerable number of questions were asked to the respondent households in relation to their perception and opinion of traffic/ transport situation in Lahore. Major findings from this interview are briefly described in the following: 2.6.1 General Traffic Situation and Congestion Table 2.6.1 shows the perception of Lahore citizen of the present traffic situation. It is amazing that nearly 90 % people opinion is that traffic situation is “very bad” or “bad”. Figure 2.6.1 portrays the reasons why they think this situation has been brought about. There are major reasons; “Increase of Car Traffic”, “Bad Driving Behaviour”, “Lack of Enforcement” and “Lack of Public Transport”. Table 2.6.1 People’s General Feeling on Present Traffic Situation Opinion Number of Percentage Samples (%) Very Good 24 0.1 Good 239 1.4 Average 1,865 10.5 Bad 5,489 31.0 Very Bad 10,086 57.0 Source: JICA Study Team Figure 2.6.1 Stated Causes of “Very Bad” or “Bad” Traffic Situation Increase of Car Traffic 5% 22% Increase of Motorcycle Traffic 19% Bad Driving Behavior 13% Lack of Enforcement 18% Lack of Public Transport 23% Lack of Parking / Other Reasons Source: JICA Study Team Many people answered “Much Worse” or “Worse” of current traffic situation as compared to 5 years ago as shown in Table 2.6.2. The percentage is highest regarding congestion followed by safety. It is clear that most people are frustrated with the current traffic situation. Figure 2.6.2 illustrates the distribution of respondent households who answered “very bad regarding traffic congestion. Its percentage is high around the city center and its surrounding areas. 2-121 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Figure 2.6.2 Distribution of Respondent Households who Answered “Very Bad” regarding Traffic Congestion Source: JICA Study Team 2-122 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Table 2.6.2 Percentage of People who Answered “Much Worse” or “Worse” on Current Traffic Situation as Compared to 5 Years Ago Subject Percentage answered “Much Worse” or “Worse” Congestion 80.4% Safety 76.6% Convenience 68.6% Source: JICA Study Team 2.6.2 Traffic Safety In Lahore, traffic safety situation is serious. Nearly 20 % of households have experienced traffic accidents in the past 5 years as shown in Table 2.6.3. Table 2.6.3 “Have you got involved in traffic accidents in the past 5 years?” Response Number of Samples Percentage Yes 3,416 19.3% No 14,266 80.7% Total 17,682 100.0% Source: JICA Study Team Traffic safety situation in Lahore is worsening rapidly. Figure 2.6.3 shows the distribution of respondents who answered “Much Worse” of the current traffic situation as compared to 5 years ago. Its percentage tends to be higher in the city centre areas. 2-123 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Figure 2.6.3 Distribution of Respondent Households who Answered Much Worse” Traffic Safety Situation as Compared to 5 Years Ago Source: JICA Study Team Lahore citizen think that the reasons of this poor traffic safety are “Poor Road Condition”, “Lack of Education”, “Increase of Traffic / Congestion”, “Poor Traffic Enforcement”, “Lack of Facilities for Traffic Safety”, and so on as presented in Figure 2.6.4. It is noted that “People’s Driving Manner” is not taken seriously as traffic safety. As to the behavior of motorcyclist, people have generally negative impression such as “Very Bad” or “Bad”. 2-124 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Regarding traffic safety measures, majority thinks “Enhancement of People’s Awareness” and “Improvement of Road” are most necessary measures, as illustrated in Figure 2.6.5 Figure 2.6.4 People’s Opinion on Reasons of Poor Traffic Safety People's Driving Manner 0% 15% 13% Increase of Traffic / Congestion 4% Lack of Traffic Signals 11% 11% Poor Traffic Enforcement Poor Road Condition 8% Lack of Traffic Signs Lack of Facilities for Traffic Safety 38% Lack of Education Source: JICA Study Team Table 2.6.4 People’s Feeling on the Behavior of Motorcyclists Response Number of Samples Percentage Very Good 24 0.1% Good 358 2.0% Ok 3,294 18.6% Bad 5,853 33.1% Very Bad 8,166 46.1% Total 17,695 100.0% Source: JICA Study Team Figure 2.6.5 People’s Opinion on Necessary Traffic Safety Measures 2% 0% 12% Enhancement of People's Awareness 26% Improvement of Road Traffic Safety Education / Campaign 7% Control of Motocycles Use Control of Car Use 9% More Traffic Signals More Safety Facilities for Pedestrians 3% Stricter Enforcement of Traffic Rules 5% Compulsory Use of Helmet in City Area 26% 10% Others Source: JICA Study Team 2-125 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES 2.6.3 Public Transport Most of Lahore citizen are not using bus service regularly. Only about 14 % are the regular bus users as summarised in Tables 2.6.5 and 2.6.6. Among the reasons of not using buses, “Have own transport vehicles” was the reply of most respondents, followed by “Do not need to use buses” and “Not satisfied with bus services”. Based on people’s assessment on bus/ wagon service given in Table 2.6.7, majority of people are not satisfied on almost all aspects of the present bus/ wagon services. Table 2.6.5 Frequency of Bus Use Number of Percentage Regularity Samples (%) 5-7 Times a Week 2,434 13.8 2-4 Times a Week 2,318 13.2 Once a Week 2,422 13.7 Rarely 6,127 34.8 Never 4,315 24.5 Total 17,616 100.0 Source: JICA Study Team Table 2.6.6 Reasons of Not Using Bus Service Number of Percentage Reason Samples (%) Have Own Transport Vehicle 4,015 43.2 Not Satisfied with Bus Service 1,821 19.6 Don’t need to Use Bus 1,896 20.4 No Opinion 1,568 16.9 Total 9,300 100.0 Source: JICA Study Team Table 2.6.7 People’s Assessment on Bus/Wagon Service Reason Percentage Answered Very Bad or Bad Route System 67.9 Operating Hours 69.6 Frequency/ Headway 67.7 Punctuality 73.3 Bus Speed 66.2 Bus Fare 73.0 Access to Bus Stop 59.3 Bus Stop Facilities 73.1 Waiting Condition 77.9 Number of Bus Stops 65.5 On-Board Comfort 70.9 On-Board Security 72.7 Driver/ Conductor’s Attitude 68.5 Convenience of Transfer 62.2 Others 59.0 Source: JICA Study Team Despite adverse views on the present bus/ wagon services, people generally agree to the necessity of improving public transport as shown in Table 2.6.8. For the improvement of public transport, improvement of bus services is considered most important. 2-126 The Project for Lahore Urban Transport Master Plan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan FINAL REPORT: VOLUME I of II CHAPTER 2 – CURRENT TRANSPORT SITUATION, PROBLEMS AND ISSUES Development of air conditioned buses and rail based mass transit are also considered as a necessity by the citizens of Lahore. Table 2.6.8 People’s Opinion on the Necessity of Public Transport Improvement Response Number of Samples Percentage Yes 15,925 90.5% No 970 5.5% Don’t Know 356 2.0% No Opinion 349 2.0% Total 17,600 100.0% Source: JICA Study Team Table 2.6.9 “What types of public transport services must be improved? (Choose two)” Mode Number of Samples Percentage Taxi/ Rickshaw 3,208 10.1 Bus Services 11,447 36.1 Aircon Buses 7,056 22.2 Underground Railway 5,084 16.0 Elevated Railway 2,344 7.4 Railway 2,596 8.2 Total 31,735 100.0 Source: JICA Study Team 2.6.4 Improvement of Transport System Table 2.6.10, presents that possible measures for transport improvements as supported by people. More than 90 % of people support “Construction/ Improvement of Roads”, “Strict Traffic Control” and “Improvement of Walking Condition”. “Restricting Motorcycle” seems to be the relatively unpopular response. Table 2.6.10 People’s Attitude on Transport Improvement Percentage Answered “Strongly Transport Improvements Support” or “Support” Construction / Improvements of 96.5 Roads Strict Traffic Control 93.4 Restricting Motorcycle 49.0 Installation of Traffic Signals 82.6 Strict Parking Control 88.0 More Parking Facilities 89.2 Improvements of Walking 91.5 Condition Expansion of Bus Services 88.1 Introduction of Bus Lanes 87.5 Remove of Animal-driven Carts 64.8 Others 60.0 Source: JICA Study Team Regarding public transport improvement measures, “Control of Air Pollution”, “Promotion of People’s Understanding of Transport Problems and Measures”, “Construction of Bus Exclusive Lane / Bus-way” and “Construction of Urban Railway” have a strong support from the citizens of Lahore.