The Land Transport Authority's plan to redesign 800 bus stops to make our public transport system more user-friendly is timely ("More user-friendly public transport system";Tuesday).

The layout of an average bus stop typically comprises three rows of seats spaced evenly over the length of the bus stop.

A problem with this configuration is that commuters standing in front of the seats or at the outer part of the bus stop often obstruct the view of approaching buses of those who are seated.

One way to overcome this problem may be to reposition the three rows of seats so that they occupy only one half of the bus stop.

The other half can be used by standing commuters, who would then not obstruct the view of those who are seated.

This proposed configuration may not be aesthetically appealing, but function versus aesthetics is what designers have to weigh and decide upon, and come up with good compromise solutions, wherever possible.

Ng Chee Kheon