All of Bahrain's bus stations could be bulldozed to make way for new developments, if municipal councillors get their way.

Members say the bus stations are wasting space and argue that roadside bus stops are enough.

The Muharraq Municipal Council approved plans to demolish the bus station in its area yesterday and is already in talks with the country's four other councils, which could follow suit.

Councillors in Muharraq want the bus stations turned into commercial developments, saying they are currently being used as parking lots for Bahrain's main private transport operator Cars Transport Corporation.

'Even Asians are not interested in using public transport these days, with them sharing money to buy a car that they all use,' said Muharraq Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Ghazi Al Murbati.

'Buses were popular in the old days, but this method of transportation is now old-fashioned and only used by a few. We are not saying that Cars doesn't have customers, all we are demanding is that government space currently used for bus stations is instead used for investment through commercial and development projects.

'Bus stops are enough considering that the maximum customers to be taken from each place doesn't exceed 10,” he added.

He said Cars should park its buses at its headquarters in Isa Town, or lease parking space elsewhere, instead of leaving them at the government-owned bus stations.

'These stations are currently used to park lots of Cars buses,' he said.

Al Murbati said this was a waste of space and suggested the land could be better used.

'For example, our bus station in Muharraq is in the middle of the old suq and it is taking up a huge area that the government can build shopping centres and plazas on,' he said.

'The same can be said about Isa Town and Manama. If the government utilises these stations properly, huge income could be generated. We are not seeking something extraordinary - we are just trying to help the government.'

Cars and government transport officials were unavailable for comment yesterday (Aug 24). – TradeArabia News Service