K & P

Government to table bill for empowering BRT authority

Bill proposes empowering BRTA to hire staff and have authority to buy and sell for BRT

Our Correspondent March 17, 2019

File photo of Malik Saad Shaheed Flyover being razed to pave way for the BRT project. PHOTO: EXPRESS

PESHAWAR: To administer the affairs of the bus rapid transit system the provincial government has decided in-principle to amend the mass transit law and bring in a new bill called the Amended Bill of Mass Transit 2019.

The bill proposes empowering the Bus Rapid Transport Authority (BRTA) to hire staff for the BRT project and also have the authority to buy and sell moveable and immovable properties for the BRT.

According to officials, the K-P government took the decision in view of the needs and requirements of the BRT system.

The Amended Mass Transit Bill 2019 also proposes empowering the authority to acquire services of adviser or expert on the affairs to fulfill the need of the project.

The need for empowering BRTA felt after Peshawar Development Authority started facing legal issues from various corners regarding the bus project.

BRT a unique project

Thirteen modern facilities would be equipped to make difference from other metro services.

France provides Rs19.5b for Peshawar’s BRT

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project Peshawar is being equipped with thirteen modern facilities as compared to metro service in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan, making the project unique from others.

The BRT feeder buses of different seven routes will enter in the main corridor as such facility didn’t available on other metro services in the country, according to documents of Peshawar Development Authority.

It further mentioned that buses and vehicles would be parked in three mega shopping plazas in Chamkani, Dabgari and Hayatabad.

The document said that as many as 0.4 million customers would be able to get stuff in the shopping malls. It added the BRT would be high qaulity with best capacity transport system, which could ensure fast, efficient, reliable and comfortable transport service for the travelers and special persons as well.

Furthermore, the statement said that the improved waiting facilities and supporting infrastructure for passengers such as e-ticketing, washroom, rest and real time information about bus schedules would be available for the travelers.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2019.