20 January 2004	Tuesday	27 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) will launch a new bus service in the Capital to introduce CNG-fitted vehicles on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

The deputy commissioner, Tariq Mehmood Pirzada, told a news conference on Monday, that the new bus service was being launched with the collaboration of private firms.

About 25 CNG-fitted buses would be plied on two routes within the territorial limits of Islamabad from January 4, which are: 104 (Tarnol to Pak Secretariat) and 113 (Pir Vedhai to Pak Secretariat).

"It would not be a franchise service and other transporters would also be allowed to ply their vehicles on these routes. He said the fares of CNG buses would be equal to the fares being charged by other transporters on these routes. However, the people would enjoy travelling in these luxurious buses to be imported from China, he added.

Talking about terms and conditions, he said a company, EVO, had been allowed to launch the service on three basic conditions that it would not raise fares without the permission of the ICT administration, it would not make the service franchise and it would not switch off CNG engine to petrol or diesel engines.

He said earlier the firm wanted to launch franchise bus services but the transporters, plying their vehicles in the Capital, had resisted the plan.

"We want to create a competition between the present transporters and the new comers, which would result in a good standard bus services in Islamabad," the official added.

He said the new services would be environment-friendly and there would be no question of smoke emitting and environment pollution. He said the firm had been asked that it would have to replace its buses after every three years.