PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: After what seemed like endless delays and setbacks, Lahore’s Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project finally reaches completion as test runs begin on the 27 kilometre track. The trains, which successfully ran from Ali Town to Dera Gajran have been approved by project administration prior to OLMT’s inauguration in early December
“Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, will attend the Orange Line inaugural function and inspect and green-light the trains himself,” said an Orange Line administration member. “The trains will initially run on diesel and complete trials with all their components before opening to the public,” he added.
According to sources, the OLMT management also met with representatives of the transport department to discuss train fares. As per details of the meeting, OLMT fares are expected to range between Rs 30 to 40 to match the Metro Bus fares and remain economical for the public.
Orange Line Metro Train developing fast
“It appears that the Punjab government will have to pay subsidy for Orange Line too, because if the fares are set higher it is expected that a much lesser number of people will choose to travel on the new trains and rather opt for other, more economical means of transport,” the source revealed.
Considering the passenger turnout, the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) management is apprehensive about pricing the fares more than the already functioning Metro Buses. According to careful estimates, the Orange Line trains are likely to facilitate some 3.5 hundred thousand passengers daily and make multiple rounds from 5 am to 12 am. If the train fares are priced considerably higher than the Metro Buses, the management believes the new trains may fall out of the reach of the average person as an economical means of transport.
As per details, the trains will continue test runs for a period of three months after inauguration, before they’re ready to welcome passengers commercially. For its initial phase, the train has been supplied with 60 Megawatts of electricity from eight grid stations, as previously said by General Manager Mass Transit Authority, Ozair Shah.
All set to roll: Lahore’s Orange Line on track for 2020 launch
The 27 stations set up for the Orange Line Metro Train, including Raiwind, Multan Road, Mc Leord Road, Lahore Railway Station and GT Road, will also offer its passengers digitized ticketing services to add convenience to their daily commute. One of the two companies shortlisted by the Orange Line project for the Operation and Maintenance of the trains will be finalized in the coming days and will begin servicing the vehicles.
According to government sources, so far a sum of $ 1.31 billion has been invested in the Orange Line Metro Train Project, while more money is required for the trains to be functional in the course of the next few months. “A summary of the remaining finances has been forwarded to the Department of Finance and once all remaining electrical and technical works and the three month trial is completed, the trains will be ready for the people of Lahore,” the source told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2019.
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