LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday launched the pilot project of electric buses in the provincial capital from the railway station to Green Town.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced free travel facility for students, senior citizens and differently-abled persons using Orange Line train, Speedo and electric buses etc, adding that 500 more e-buses would be brought in August this year.

She also announced that Metro bus service would be launched in Faisalabad and Gujranwala by the next financial year.

The CM reiterated her announcement of providing of 100,000 electric bikes to the students.

She invited the Chinese companies to start assembling process of e-bikes in Punjab.

She directed the officials concerned to take immediate steps for the underground transport system in Punjab and announced that Pakistan’s first tram will run from Thokar Niaz Beg to Harbanspura in Lahore.

She also ordered installation of mist fans, along with provision of other facilities to the passengers at the e-bus service stations.

She announced the establishment of the latest electric transport charging infrastructure in Punjab.

“I am most happy that the electric bus fare has been fixed at Rs20. The fare of general public transport is also equivalent to putting a burden on the people. Some 17,000 passengers will benefit from the electric bus service pilot project daily. Free Wi-Fi, mobile charging and CCTV cameras have been installed in the e-buses to prevent incidents of harassment.”

She said electric buses had also been started in Sindh but the number of buses was highest in Punjab.

The e-bus route includes Haji Camp, Police Line, Shimla Pahari, Roznama Jang, Muslim League House, Club Chowk, Governor House, Bagh-e-Jinnah and Zoo. Charing Cross, Gangaram Hospital, Waris Road, Abid Market, Mozang, Shama, Ichhra, Fazlia Colony, Rehmanpura, Ichhra Bridge, Punjab College and New Garden Town are also included in the e-bus route.

Moreover, the route also includes Campus Bridge, Punjab University Gate No 4, Hailey College, IBA Stop, Shah Di Khoi, Ravi Chowk, Shauk Chowk, Akbar Chowk, Township Bazaar, Mochipura.

Model Town Link Road, Honda Mor, Government Employees Society, Pindi Stop, Riphah University, Nursery Bus Stop, Hamdard Chowk and Minhaj University are also included in the route.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025