KARACHI, April 7: The transport and communications department of the city government has issued letters of intent to five firms to build bus shelters along 18 major corridors of Karachi on build-operate-transfer basis.

The bus shelters will have all essential facilities for commuters at bus stops, such as designated waiting areas for ladies and gents, telephone booths, public transport service, guide route-maps, guide map of the town/city, bus stop sign boards, tuck shops at specific locations where no traffic or others problems are involved and toilet facilities for ladies and gents will also be provided at selected locations.

While the main source of earning for the private firms will be from advertisement space for sponsors, they will have to obtain clearance certificate from the DO advertisement after the paying advertisement tax.

The main points of the agreement are:

1. Land to be allotted for the shelters will be free of cost, but its ownership will remain with the city government.

2. The company/sponsor will be allowed advertisement vetted by the city government at designated space.

3. Maintenance of the bus shelter will be the responsibility of the private company.

The BOT agreement will be signed for 10 years and it can be renewed for another five years.—PPI