ISLAMABAD: The residents of Islamabad can enjoy travelling in electric buses on two routes as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi inaugurated the service. A fleet of 30 electric buses are operating from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and from PIMS to Bari Imam, with a flat fare of Rs50 per passenger. Emergency charging points have been set up at the Convention Centre and H-9.
Additionally, 70 more buses have arrived and will be operational on 11 routes after driver training in about a month. Another fleet of 60 buses will also be added in the upcoming months, bringing the total to 160. At the inauguration, CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa briefed the minister on the bus service’s details.
The first route runs from NUST to PIMS, passing through G-11, G-10, G-9, and G-8 Markaz, with 13 stops. The second route goes from PIMS to Bari Imam via G-7, G-6, Melody, Aabpara, Ataturk Road, Serena Hotel, Foreign Office, Radio Pakistan, and the Diplomatic Enclave.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated the new bus services on 13 routes during his previous tenure. The NRTC procured the e-buses from China. Meanwhile, the interior minister also announced plans to purchase only e-bikes for official use, improve emergency services, and expedite the establishment of the Capital Waste Management Company. Upcoming projects include the Serena Chowk Underpass, F-9 Park Chowk Flyover, and the long-delayed Expressway project.
