Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz virtually inaugurated the electric bus (e-bus) service in Layyah, Okara, Sialkot, Chiniot, and Murree. She set a target of making 1,100 electric buses operational across Punjab by the end of August and announced that 5,000 electric buses will be running across the province over the next five years, making Punjab home to Pakistan’s largest public transport system.
During the inauguration ceremony, officials informed the chief minister that, in the first phase, 51 electric buses will operate on 10 routes across the five districts. By the end of July, an additional 101 electric buses will be introduced in nine more districts across Punjab.
According to the briefing:
- In Layyah, buses will operate from the General Bus Stand to Paharpur and Tehsil Hospital.
- In Chiniot, the route will run from Tehsil Chowk to Bhawana and Lalian.
- In Okara, buses will operate from Sahiwal Bypass to KFC Bypass, and from the General Bus Stand to Shergarh.
- In Sialkot, routes will connect the General Bus Stand with Daska and Pasrur.
- In Murree, buses will run from the General Bus Stand to Kotli Sattian and 17 Mile.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed deputy commissioners to personally supervise the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of electric bus terminals. She also instructed district administrations to ensure the timely resolution of public issues related to the service.
She said that Punjab is establishing the largest public transport system in Pakistan’s history, adding that the electric bus project has become extremely popular over the past two and a half years. She noted that people in remote and underdeveloped areas are also benefiting from modern, air-conditioned public transport.
The chief minister stated that 500 electric buses are currently operating in 24 districts of Punjab. By August 15, the province will receive 1,100 buses, all of which are expected to become operational by the end of August. She further announced that 1,500 more electric buses will be added this year, increasing the total fleet to around 3,000 buses.
She reiterated the government’s goal of operating at least 5,000 electric buses across Punjab within the next five years. According to her, the project, with an estimated cost of Rs200 billion, is Pakistan’s largest public transport initiative.
Maryam Nawaz also said that students, women, and senior citizens are travelling free of charge on the electric buses. She announced that the service will also be launched by the end of July in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Multan, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal.
She added that the number of daily passengers using the electric buses has surpassed 300,000, with ridership continuing to grow every week. She said the project has evolved into the largest public transport system not only in Punjab but across Pakistan.
Also read: Cracks down on traffic violators, over 700 vehicles issued E-Challans
