KEY POINTS
- The project will introduce electric buses in phases, starting with Lahore and Gujranwala before expanding to other cities
- An initial order for 380 electric buses was placed to kickstart the initiative
- Plans for charging stations and a sophisticated Transport Tower Command and Control Centre in Lahore also approved
ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at modernising public transport across the Punjab province of Pakistan, the provincial government has approved the introduction of 1,500 electric buses across various urban centres.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz asserted on Monday that her leadership extends beyond Lahore, encompassing the entire province.
While presiding over a special meeting of the Transport Department in Lahore, she emphasized the need for equitable access to modern transportation for all residents, regardless of their city.
Chairing a special meeting of the Transport Department in Lahore, she said, “Not only the people of Lahore, but those living in other cities of the province also have the right to use modern means of transport. Therefore, it has been decided to introduce electric buses in all major cities of the Punjab.”
The meeting approved the project of plying 1,500 electric buses on different cities’ roads.
It was decided that these buses would be introduced in far-flung cities of the province in phases.
The chief minister ordered the purchase of 380 buses as early as possible.
In the first phase, these buses would ply on the roads of Lahore and Gujranwala, and later the project would be extended to Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan, the meeting was told.
It was informed that orange and red buses would ply in Faisalabad.
CM Maryam, on the occasion, also sought a plan for setting up charging stations for electric buses.
She also okayed the establishment of the most sophisticated Transport Tower, Command and Control Centre in Lahore.
