LAHORE: The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) is likely to receive 64 new buses for Lahore Metro Bus System by the month’s end, as some of them are at the Karachi port after being shipped by the Chinese authorities.

The new fleet will replace the existing one as the PMA has started necessary arrangements in this regard. All the buses have been manufactured in China, Dawn has learnt.

“We will put the new buses on the track — Gajjumata-Shahdara-Gajjumata — removing the old ones,” a senior official in the PMA told Dawn on Friday.

“We have already awarded the project (metro bus operation) to a leading firm that is currently making necessary arrangements on its part under PMA guidelines,” he added.

The Lahore Metro Bus System — which is called as Green Line, is the first ever project of its kind in Pakistan completed in December 2012 under a fast track project execution policy. It was completed within 11 months and launched in February 2013.

The Turkish company which was awarded the metro bus operation introduced articulated buses (18-meters in length) in the country. It imported 64 buses from China in 2013 that have now completed their age and are required to be replaced.

Under the plan, the specification of new buses is the same as there would be no change in the seating capacity, announcement, colour scheme, etc. Only a green line has been added to the colour scheme.

“Some buses have already been received by the authorities from Chinese counterparts at Karachi port. And some are ready to be shipped from China. Hopefully, by thee end of the week, we will receive all,” the official maintained.

The official said since the existing fleet was almost in a dilapidated condition, it was causing great inconvenience for the travelers. He said the issues related to air-conditioner, wiring, engine, seats, body, etc, are arising daily. Recently an empty bus caught massive fire on the way to Shahdara.

He said though the official duration of the contract with the previous firm has ended but we are unable to relieve it from the service until receipt of new buses and take over by the new company. “As soon as we receive the new fleet with all arrangements done on the new firm’s part, we will give farewell to the previous one,” he said.

waste containers: The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) on Friday placed 400 waste containers and 200 waste carriage handcarts in various localities of Gulberg.

Since the company had earlier on Thursday placed 950 bins and 400 handcarts in various parts of Data Ganj Bakhsh zone, it handed over the bins and the handcarts to the authorities concerned in presence of education minister Murad Raas and later placed them at various spots.

Under the action plan, the company pledges to complete the task (waste bins placement) in all of its service areas by next weekend. “We want Lahore a clean city and exemplary to other mega towns of the country,” the minister Raas said while speaking on the occasion. “It is also the basic responsibility of every citizen to keep our city clean by avoiding littering,” he added. RAILWAY: The railways’ chairman on Friday directed the officials to preferably focus on the issues related to passenger safety and resolve them on priority basis. “Though the revenue collection is a major issue, you must focus the passengers safety first,” the chairman said.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2021