Many bus stops in Thimphu lack proper shelters or have damaged facilities, prompting commuters to call for better bus stands. They say waiting for buses becomes particularly difficult during harsh weather. Around 25,000 people use the city bus service every day.At the bus stop near Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, students are often seen waiting along the roadside.
With limited space and no proper shelter, some sit on the pavement while others stand and wait for their buses.
For students who travel this route every day, the wait can be particularly difficult during rain, cold weather or strong sunlight.
Drukgi Ugyen Rinzin, a student of Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School in Thimphu, uses the city bus every day. He travels from Babesa to school in the morning and returns home by bus in the evening.
“I have to travel from Babesa to school in the morning and back in the evening. The biggest problem I face while waiting for the bus is the weather. Sometimes it is raining, sometimes it is very cold, and sometimes it is very sunny. It would be very helpful if there were a shelter or seating at the bus stop.”
Like these students, many people in Thimphu depend on city buses for their daily commute.
The capital has around 320 bus stops, but only about 88 have shelters. The remaining stops do not have either a bus bay or a shelter.