Yet another bus service in the pipeline

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has once again unearthed plans for a public transport facility. The civic body’s much publicised plan to deploy CNG buses has been scrapped in favour of a new bus service for commuters in the twin cities. The CNG bus service was shelved due to shortage of adequately-pressurised CNG, according to a CDA official.

CDA now says that the new bus service will be operational within two months.

Lack of a proper public transport facility has long remained a headache for commuters, who complain of shabby facilities being provided by a handful of wagon owners exercising complete monopoly over the city’s roads. The CDA will brief the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration and Islamabad Traffic Police about its plans on January 6.

In its last board meeting, the civic body shortlisted Hino and Skyways for providing what it described as a speedy, reliable and environment-friendly service. Azam Lodhi, who works in the CDA Traffic Wing, said that the final contract would be awarded to one of the two transport companies by the end of this month.

For the service’s initial phase, four routes have been selected. These include Route-1 from Secretariat to Faizabad, Route-2 from Bhara Kahu to Faizabad, Route-3 from Secretariat to I-10 and Route-4 from Faizabad to Blue Area and F-11. Twenty buses, carrying a daily load of 20,000 passengers would ply each route. The service would be extended to other routes if the pilot project is successful.

CDA will provide bus stands, terminals, parking areas and other required facilities. Lodhi said that a bus would depart from each terminal every five minutes in order to avoid long queues.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2011.