Capital identifies 13 new public transport routes

ISLAMABAD:

Thirteen new public transport routes have been identified in Islamabad and these routes will be made operational from next month.

These routes were identified keeping in view the requirements of the people of the federal capital.

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that 13 feeder routes have been identified and new stations are being established. Procurement, operation and maintenance of buses have been awarded and the routes will be made operational in the phase starting next month, he added.

The minister said that 30 buses would be operational in the beginning while the remaining 130 buses to be acquired in various phases. He said that buses would ply from B-17 to Chungi No. 26; Sector I-16 to Chungi No. 26; Taramri to Aabpara; Taramri to Khana Bridge; Piwadhai to IJP and to cover various sectors including G-5, G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, F-8, F-10 and F-11. Moreover, he said that a Mass-Transit System from Rawat to Pak-Secretariat via Murree Road is also under consideration at the Planning level for the capital city.

Apart from the Metro Bus Service from Saddar to Pak- Secretariat (i.e. Red Line), the government has already initiated three public transport routes in ICT through Orange Line, Blue Line and Green Line bus services which have been operational since 2022.  

The minister said that thousands of people are getting benefits from this service. He said that the Islamabad Transport Authority is making all-out efforts to ensure safe and decent private sector-run transport within the parameters of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2024.