Islamabad is gearing up for the introduction of an advanced bus service, with 30 electric buses from China scheduled to arrive next month, as disclosed by officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in a meeting chaired by Chairman Anwarul Haq. The CDA officials informed the Chairman that a total of 160 electric buses would be imported from China.
The initial phase will see 30 buses arriving in Pakistan in January, with the remaining set to be imported in February and March. Chairman CDA has instructed officials to ensure timely delivery of the buses. The official launch of the bus service is anticipated shortly after the arrival of the first fleet, which will operate on 13 routes in the federal capital.
Additionally, the CDA is poised to commence the construction of the main bus depot at Zero Point along Srinagar Highway, towards the H-8 side, in the coming days. The construction process is estimated to take six months. Furthermore, plans are in place to construct three additional bus depots. The decision to carry out the depot construction under 42(f) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules was made in October. According to these rules, only government-run construction firms are allowed to participate in the bidding process for the “speedy and timely completion” of the project.
The National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has been entrusted with the operation of buses on the 13 designated routes. The NRTC is set to receive Rs. 306 to Rs. 331 per kilometer from the CDA.
The following are details about the proposed routes:
- Police Foundation/Orange Line Station to Red Line Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station in I-8
- Allama Iqbal Station to Red Line Potohar Station
- Pims to Secretariat
- D-12 to G-10
- F-11 to Red Line F-8 Station
- G-11 to Pims
- Aabpara to Tramri Chowk
- Nilor to Khanna Pul
- Pirwadhai Chowk to Faizabad
- B-17 to 26 Number Chungi
- I-16 to 26 Number
It is noteworthy that the initiative to commence the bus service was directed by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who inaugurated the Orange Line, Green Line, and Blue Line metro bus services during his tenure.
