KARACHI, Nov 22: A fleet of 32 new large-size buses will arrive at Karachi port from Sweden on Dec 3 and will begin plying in the city during the same month.

In a meeting on Friday, transport secretary Raja Mohammed Abbas briefed Governor Mohammedmian Soomro about the operation of these buses.

He said that the AC buses were of Euro-2 technology, each with a capacity for 100 passengers and having separate exit for ladies and gents. As many as 300 such buses will be imported gradually.

The buses will have installed electronic ticketing machines, while conductors are being imparted training as per international standard for which experts have specially been invited from Sweden.

The meeting was informed that diploma-holder drivers were being appointed for the buses, which will ply on the defunct KTC 2-B and 4-C routes.

The company will set up about 40 bus stops, after every half-a-kilometre, on its own expense along the allocated route alignments, conceptual design for which has been prepared, while a foreign architect will visit the city soon for preparation of the final model in consultation with the local authorities.

Besides, the bus stops in the densely-populated locations will have the facilities of toilet, telephone, newspaper stand, flower shop and refreshment stall.

The governor said that the quality of the staff to be employed should be maintained and their attitude towards the commuters should match the quality of the buses.

He stressed that the buses should be operated under a clearly worked out timetable and that monthly passes should be introduced for public convenience.

The meeting was attended by principal secretary Brig Akhtar Zamin, DCO Shafiqur Rehman Paracha and other officials besides chief operating officer of the bus company, Ahmed Shabbor, consultant Frits Olyslaggers and trainer Babar Ali.—APP/PPI