Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the immediate deployment of 240 electric buses across 24 districts of South Punjab, emphasizing the need to move beyond the traditional focus on major urban areas.
During a high-level meeting reviewing the province’s electric bus initiative and broader transport projects, Maryam stressed equitable development, stating, “Every district matters — it’s time to bring villages up to the level of big cities.”
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The first phase of the project will see 240 electric buses distributed among these districts. In addition, 500 more e-buses are scheduled to be introduced in Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi from August to October. Another 600 buses will follow later this year.
Under the Punjab Clean Air Programme, 400 of these buses will operate in Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, and Sheikhupura. The chief minister ordered that routes be planned based on passenger flow and convenience, urging officials to speed up the launch of all public transport services.
The Gujranwala Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was also discussed. Stretching 22 kilometers from Rahwali to Aimanabad with 28 stops and 80 feeder buses, the BRT system may be expanded to include Gakhar Mandi. Buses will run at 8-minute intervals, supported by four electric bus depots. Maryam directed the Transport Department to create intelligent traffic solutions for the route.
Updates were also provided on the Faisalabad Red Line and Orange Line. The Red Line will span 23.4 km with 24 stations, expected to serve over 185,000 passengers daily. The Orange Line, covering 29 km with 21 stops, aims to facilitate around 111,000 commuters daily. The Red Line’s route has now been extended to link FIEDMC with Salami Chowk, as per the chief minister’s orders.
