The Sindh government is moving ahead with plans to purchase 500 electric buses to expand modern public transport in the province.
The Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) discussed the project during a board meeting chaired by Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon. Plans were reviewed for electric buses, a new logistics park and other transport projects.
The board decided to complete all technical and administrative work for the purchase of the buses. The proposal will then be sent to the Sindh Cabinet for final approval.
500 electric buses planned for Karachi and Hyderabad
The electric buses are part of the People’s Green Transport Project. Details of the project show that 450 buses are planned for Karachi and 50 for Hyderabad. Karachi is expected to get services on 25 routes, while Hyderabad will have five routes.
The project also includes many other major additions as well.
- Five electric bus depots
- Charging facilities for the buses
- Around 850 bus shelters
- An automated fare collection system
- Bus scheduling and depot management systems
- A central operations control system
The planned project will include 300 buses measuring 12 metres and 200 buses measuring 8 metres. The government expects the service to carry at least 215,000 passengers each day.
Moreover, the SMTA board also discussed plans for a logistics park. The government will seek cabinet approval for this project as well.
Sharjeel Memon said the proposed park could reduce the pressure of heavy vehicles on Karachi’s roads. It is also expected to improve the movement of goods and help modernise the province’s transport and logistics sector.
Officials have been directed to complete the required technical and administrative work as soon as possible.