Pindi to have eco-friendly public transport
Women get off a Red Bus on a road in the port city. The public transport authority has yet to implement its ambitious plan of women bus drivers. Photo: jalal qureshi/ express
A plan has been devised to provide Rawalpindi residents with eco-friendly public transport by introducing two hundred electric buses on various routes across the city.
Sources have revealed that during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China, an agreement was made with the Chinese government to reduce environmental pollution and promote eco-friendly public transport. Under this agreement, a public electric bus service will be initiated in Islamabad and all four provinces of Pakistan. Following this, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved an ‘international standard public transport service project’ specifically for Rawalpindi.
They said under this project, two hundred electric buses will operate on various routes within Rawalpindi city and its Cantonment area.
The old GTS bus service depot at Chohar Chowk will be transformed into a bus station with a capacity for one hundred buses. Additionally, a modern bus terminal will be constructed at the old Adamjee Road depot in Rawalpindi Cantonment, equipped with forty electric chargers for the buses. The project's report has already been prepared.
Route I of the bus service will begin from Islamabad International Airport via GT Road to EME College, Kohinoor Mill, Chohar Chowk stop, Radio Station Rawalpindi, Race Course stop, to Railway Station stop.
Similarly, route two from Railway Station to Haider Road Metro Station Saddar to Rawalpindi Gymkhana, Jhanda Chichi, Kacheri to Chaklala Scheme Three.
Route three will cover areas around T-Chowk, DHA Phase Five, Bahria Phase One, Bahria Phase Seven, Swan Bridge, Ayub Park, Morgah, and Kacheri Chowk.
Route four, starting from Adiala Central Jail will stretch from Gulshan Jinnah, Khawaja Corporation, Lal Kurti to Metro Station Saddar.
Member of the National Assembly, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif are committed to transforming Punjab into a state-of-the-art region. He stated that under their positive vision, Rawalpindi's public transport issues will be permanently resolved. Highlighting the project as a significant initiative, Chaudhry emphasised that whenever the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government comes into power, the public receives relief, citing the Metro bus service as an example.
Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Rashid Ali remarked that the growing population of Rawalpindi and the increase in global oil prices have led to a global trend towards green transport. He announced that the chief minister of Punjab and the minister of transport have approved a mega project for Rawalpindi.