Rawalpindi to get 100 electric buses

A comprehensive plan has been formulated on Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s directives to provide international standard public transport to citizens living in major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Multan.

According to details, 100 electric buses will be run in Rawalpindi to modernise these cities' transport system for which a new route plan will be designed. Route No. 1 will be from Saddar to New Airport Islamabad. Route No. 2 from Rawat to Saddar, Route No. 3 from Faizabad via IGP Road to Airport and from Sangjani to Radio Pakistan Ring Road Interchange Rawalpindi.

Modern electric buses will run on these routes and the fare of the passengers will be decided after consultation. Regional Transport Authority Secretary Rashid Ali, said Rawalpindi is an important city where with the increase in population, citizens are facing transportation problems.

To solve this issue, electric buses will be run like metro buses and other public transport. Talking to The Express Tribune, he said electric charging centres will also be set up at government-owned petrol pumps for electric buses.

The funding for this mega project will be obtained from Asian Development while local transporters will also be given incentives.