Public CNG buses to be introduced soon

RAWALPINDI: A meeting will be held on July 5 to discuss the implementation of the plan to introduce CNG buses for commuters.

The district administration is in the final stages of planning the project, which will provide public transport between Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as Taxila, Wah Factory, Rawat, Adiala Road, Sihala, Karachi Company, Faisal Masjid and Secretariat.

The CNG bus project aims to provide better, cheaper and eco-friendly transport, especially for working women and female students.

The Punjab government will launch the bus service with the cooperation of the private sector. A subsidy of 15 per cent will be given to those private transports companies that will import Hino CNG buses and will also be granted a loan for seven years.

Furthermore, owners of the buses will get 20 per cent operational and five per cent capital subsidies. Private transporters have been invited to the meeting and will be issued permits within 24 hours for running their buses on choice routes.

Kazmi told The Express Tribune that the secretary transport had already approved the project and will chair the meeting for its implementation.

The launch of the new CNG buses is said to be environment-friendly and the step is aimed at improving transport services for the public.

The meeting was called by Captain (Retd) Muhammad Yusuf, secretary Punjab, and will be chaired by Secretary Transport Imdadullah Bosal. District Coordination Officer Asad Raza Kazmi, Secretary Regional Transport Authority, SP Traffic and other officials of the district administration will also attend.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2010.