Training for drivers begins for Metro feeder buses

Integrated ticketing systems to enable passengers to travel on a single ticket on both buses

LAHORE: Drivers are being trained on the 200 new buses that will ply on feeder routes of Lahore’s Metro Bus service from next month, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.

Official documents indicate these buses will be equipped with Automated Fare Collection and Bus Scheduling System (AFC-BSS) and GPS tracking devices. The operator will set up card (ticket) sale and recharge points at 22 localities along the feeder routes.

These sale points will remain open during bus operation time – tentatively decided as 18 hours a day. The operator will also provide 15 handheld electronic ticket checkers for spot checking, to facilitate the Punjab Mass-transit Authority-assigned ticket inspectors.

Daewoo Pakistan spokesperson said the company was training bus drivers as the passenger buses were ready to start operation by mid-December. The PMA is likely to complete the bus shelters by that time as well, he added.

PMA Operations General-Manager Syed Uzair Shah said the Lahore commissioner was responsible for the construction of bus stations but the authority was installing high-definition CCTV cameras at all bus shelters along the feeder routes for real-time monitoring of bus operations.

Shah said he could not confirm the inauguration date for the new public transport scheme, but he was optimistic the new buses would start running sometime in December.

The bus service would be formally inaugurated by the Punjab chief minister.

Initially these buses will run on 14 feeder routes of the Lahore Metro Bus, covering a total length of 123 kilometres. More buses will be inducted later in a phased manner, once the Lahore Metro Train’s Orange Line becomes operational.

The PMA expects dramatic decrease in motorcyclists and air pollution in Lahore as the bus service will significantly improve connectivity. The authority has already made arrangements to integrate ticketing systems of both the Lahore Metro Bus service and feeder buses that will enable passengers to travel on a single ticket on both buses.

Shah said the authority envisioned providing reliable and comfortable public transport facility to all citizens within 500 metres from their place of work or residence.

The PMA had inked an agreement with Daewoo Pakistan in February for procurement, operation and maintenance of 200 feeder buses for integrated bus operations in Lahore. The buses were to hit the city roads in April but the project was delayed, owing to disagreements between the authority and the operator. The issue was resolved amicably and the operator ordered new buses.

The Daewoo Pakistan spokesperson told The Express Tribune the company invested Rs3 billion for the procurement of the 200 buses, including 162 large and 38 small buses.

The company would own and operate these buses on the feeder routes and bill the PMA on per kilometre basis. The authority will pay Rs165 and Rs140 per kilometre for large and small buses, respectively. Initially, 200,000 passengers would benefit from the new buses on daily basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2016.