PM for mechanism to reduce metro bus fare

Orders complete landscaping of newly launched orange line metro bus route

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to thrash out a mechanism for the reduction in the fares of the metro bus service to provide relief to the masses.

The prime minister issued the directives while chairing a meeting to review the progress of the newly launched orange, blue and green line bus services in the federal capital.

The premier directed the authorities to complete the landscaping of the newly launched orange line metro bus from Faiz Ahmed Faiz terminal to the Islamabad airport.

PM Shehbaz said that the landscaping project should be completed within seven days and a report should be submitted to his office. He said that an integrated system should be introduced to reduce the fare of the metro bus to facilitate travellers.

The meeting was briefed on the progress of the Bara Kahu bypass project. The prime minister directed to ensure the protection of forests and transparency during the project's construction.

He further issued orders to start work on the Bhara Kahu bypass after transparent bidding of the project. He said that the best firms should be awarded the contract for the bypass project and the standard of work on the project should not be compromised.

“It is imperative to address the problems being faced by the people due to traffic congestion in Bhara Kahu. The construction of the bypass will make things easier for the public and the tourists at large,” he said.

The meeting was told that the 29-kilometre-long orange line metro bus route had been connected to Faiz Ahmed Faiz terminal instead of the NHA station keeping in view the number of passengers during peak hours, which has jumped from 3,000 to 18,000.

The meeting was informed that the blue line metro bus service from Koral to PIMS Hospital was also ready for inauguration. A large number of people travelling along the Islamabad Expressway will have access to high-quality, affordable transportation options on the new route, which has 13 stations, the meeting was told.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2022.