RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz is set to unveil the electric bus service in Rawalpindi today (Wednesday).
As per details, the arrangements for the official visit of CM Maryam have been completed. Roads of the garison city have been decorated with plants and flowers, whereas the city has been cleaned by the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company.
Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Asad Shirazi told a private media outlet that “In the first phase, 45 e-buses will be operated on four routes and the number of buses will be expanded in coming days. As Kutchery Chowk remodeling project is in progress, it is not included among the routes,” said
E-bus routes in Rawalpindi
The city will see total seven buses on the roads. The buses will be operated from Saddar to Qabristan Chowk at Misrial Road via Qasim Market, Shalley Valley (total 7 kilometres), eight buses on the second route from Fawara Chowk to Koral Chowk via Liaquat Bagh and Sir Syed Road and the Old Airport Road (11.3 kilometres) and seven buses on the third route will be from Saddar Metro Bus Station to Munawar Colony via Tulsa Road.
Meanwhile, 14 buses will be operated on the fourth route from Marrir Metro Bus Station to the Motorway Chowk via The Mall and Peshawar Road (13.1 kilometres).
The DC said that around 24,000 passengers will benefit from electric bus facility on a daily basis in the initial phase.
Charging facility
Mr Shirazi said a charging station for the electric buses had been installed at Saddar GTS bus stand on Adamjee Road and work was in progress to develop a bus depot at Peshawar Road. He said the routes had been approved by the Punjab government and Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema after consultations with the locals.
He said more buses will arrive in Rawalpindi by the end of this year and will be operated on the routes from the next year.
E-buses inauguration
The deputy commissioner said that arrangements had been finalised and the electric buses would be on the routes after inauguration by the chief minister.
“As many as 24,000 passengers will avail of this transport in the initial phase and it is expected that the ridership will increase with the passage of time. Before notifying, the district administration conducted a survey of the city and cantonment areas and finalised the routes as per requirements of the people,” he said.
He said training of the drivers and ticketing staff had been completed. The Punjab Transit Authority will look after the affairs of the buses, adding the service was connected with the metro buses in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
The DC said that people who wanted to go to Islamabad International Airport will use the bus service from Saddar to the Motorway Chowk and then to the airport.
He said it was a gift of the Punjab government for the residents of the garrison city who will get a decent bus service at reasonable fares.
The electric buses will help reduce traffic rush on the roads besides reducing air and noise pollution, he said.
Also read: Good News for Commuters as Electric Buses Arrive in Rawalpindi
