28 KMC buses to join PBS fleet

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a recent meeting, instructed Mayor Murtaza Wahab to initiate steps for incorporating 28 air-conditioned CNG buses from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) into the People's Bus Service.

The buses are intended to serve both existing and new routes across the city.

The meeting, chaired by the chief minister was attended by Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Agha Waqar, Secretary Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Finance Fayyaz Jatoi, and KMC Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi.

The mayor informed the chief minister that the Karachi City District Government had procured 75 buses previously, out of which 14 were donated to various organisations and 10 given to the University of Karachi.

He said that the remaining buses, operational until 2017, ceased operations due to CNG shortages and inadequate maintenance. "Currently, KMC possesses 51 buses, out of which 28 can be made operational for service, with one bus already restored through private funding after conversion to diesel fuel at a cost of Rs8 million.

Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani proposed preparing a detailed estimate for the refurbishment of these 28 buses.