CDA has begun finalising a plan to run a bus service solely for the capital on a public-private partnership model. PHOTO: FILE
Although the chances of a mass transit option for the twin cities have turned bleak, the CDA has begun finalising a plan to run a bus service solely for the capital on a public-private partnership model.
Initially, the Quality Bus Service will be available at three different intra-city routes.
“The paperwork for the plan of action, mode of operation, management and maintenance of bus service, is almost finalised. However, after removal of the CDA chairman, it might be delayed for some time, but not too long, as federal government wants this project to materialise at the earliest,” said a planning wing official.
Under the initial plan, as many as 33 diesel engine buses will be inducted to ply the three routes — one from Bhara Kahu to F-8 Markaz, another from Rawat to Pak-Secretariat, and the third from Sector I-11 to Pak Secretariat.
The Traffic Engineering and Traffic Planning wing of the CDA has identified some 90 pick and drop points along the three routes, and the buses will run from 6am to 10:30pm.
Proposed Subsidy
The plan calls for the services of a private operator who will bear the cost of project to be hired. “The authority will properly advertise for the service in the national media within the next few days,” said the official.
The CDA estimates that around Rs347 million per annum will be the cost of maintenance and operations for the planned service. The authority will be collecting around Rs 150 million per annum on the account of fare from passengers, while the CDA will offer a subsidy of Rs197 million per annum against the project.
The maximum fare on a single route will be Rs 30.
“Per annum collection of fare has been calculated on lower side, that is 40 percent of the total seating capacity of a bus,” the official informed.
He said the private operator would be responsible for operations and maintenance of buses, while the CDA would be responsible for management of the whole project. “For the purpose, two operations centres — one near Pims and the other one at Aabpara — will be established,” he said.
Issues
The authority has not taken concerned stakeholders on board so far, especially private transport owners. In the past, the authority witnessed immense resistance from Islamabad’s traders in its plan to launch paid parking projects in various markets. “The sole reason for failure of that project was it was not shared with the business community and other concerned stakeholders,” the official said.
In the case of the bus service, the authority has not taken private transport owners on board, although they have been shuttling around the city’s commuters for decades.
Also, the authority wants to initiate the service relying on existing road infrastructure, which may be insufficient in some areas. “We are aware of the problems lie ahead when it comes to infrastructure issues, but there is no available solution on hand for that problem,” the official added.
Talking to The Express Tribune, CDA spokesperson Asim Khichi said the project was in line with the directions of the federal government. He said the authority was working and finalising the project and soon, a dedicated public transport would be available for the residents of Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2013.
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