Metro bus service to Islamabad airport from March 23

Preparations are underway to inaugurate the Metro Bus Service from Peshawar Mor to the New Islamabad International Airport on March 23.

The Peshawar Mor Central Station will function as the designated pick-up point.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) had previously completed the 27km road from Peshawar Mor to the New Islamabad Airport in March last year for this purpose. The total cost incurred was Rs16 billion.

Further, a “Capital Mass Transit Authority" will be set up to oversee the management and the service of the buses. The authority will be constituted under an act of parliament, with full control vested in it under the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

At the starting point of the route, a shuttle bus service will also operate from three different points in Islamabad to this central station. A total of 30 metro buses will run on this route, which will start daily from 7am to 11pm. Due to the new route, this time frame is predicted to increase. The fare on this route will be Rs30 per passenger.

Overall, the service will provide cheap and comfortable rides to passengers, citizens and employees traveling from Islamabad to New Islamabad Airport. It will also solve serious problems of overloading and overcharging of public transport along this route.

Under the Rawalpindi Regional Transport Authority, a coaster bus service from Coral and Rawat will also be operated, as this route has been approved. Initially the permits have been issued for the operation of ten vehicles.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2022.