Double-decker buses to hit Karachi roads soon

Sindh government also decides to procure 50 new buses for People's Bus Service

KARACHI:

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced on Tuesday that the provincial government is planning to introduce double-decker buses on Karachi’s roads and has begun the process of procuring them.

Sharjeel, who also holds the portfolios of Information, Transport, Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control, made the announcement during a key meeting.

The meeting was attended by Director Soheb Shafiq, People's Bus Service Manager of Operations Abdul Shakoor, and other officials.

During the meeting, it was decided that the Sindh government would purchase 50 new buses for the People’s Bus Service. Sharjeel directed the Mass Transit Authority and other relevant bodies to expedite the procurement process.

“We are committed to modernising public transport in Karachi,” Sharjeel said at the meeting. “This initiative by the Sindh government will greatly improve the urban transport system, offering citizens affordable and comfortable travel.”

He stressed the importance of swift implementation to address the growing transport needs of the city's residents. Additionally, Sharjeel instructed that the construction of bus stations for the People’s Bus Service be completed as soon as possible.

A day earlier Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed the Planning and Development (P&D) Department to expedite the approval process for 162 development schemes, valued at Rs75.639 billion, as part of Karachi’s Rs187.3 billion development portfolio.

These schemes have an allocation of Rs14.8 billion for the 2024-25 financial year, with completion targeted by the next fiscal year. The urgency reflects the need to start work without delay, he said during a meeting held at CM House on Monday.

The meeting was attended by various ministers and officials, including P&D Minister Nasir Shah and Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah.

Sindh government set to take over Green Line bus service in December 2024

Earlier this month, the Sindh government completed preparations to take over the operations of the Green Line bus service, with the federal government scheduled to transfer the service to Sindh in December 2024.

In a high-level meeting chaired by Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, the operations of the Green Line bus service were reviewed. Memon highlighted that the Green Line project is a vital part of Karachi’s public transport system. He also expressed hope that the connection to the Orange Line would be completed before the transfer date.

He noted that the federal government has provided a Rs2 billion subsidy for Green Line operations, which will be reviewed by the Sindh government. Once the project is officially transferred, additional buses will be added to improve transport services for citizens.