TAXILA: The residents of Hassanabdal can enjoy travelling in electric buses along the Islamabad-Hassanabdal route, as service was inaugurated on Monday.

Sardar Faizan Haider, son of Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, inaugurated the bus service at Hazara Road Hassanabdal where Deputy DG of Metro Bus Project Rana Tariq Mahmood, briefed him about the bus service and its functions.

Deputy DG of Metro Bus Project, Rana Tariq Mahmood, President of the PPP Attock chapter, Ashar Hayat Khan, and city president Zulfiqar Hayat Khan, were also present on this occasion. The buses will operate on the longest inter-city route via Taxila and Wah, providing a modern and environmentally friendly commuting option for the city’s residents, especially students and jobbies.

On this occasion, Mr Faizan appreciated the standards of the buses and said the public transport system in Hassanabdal and Fatehjang would be further improved to facilitate the citizens. Each bus will have a route displayed for the convenience of commuters. Closed-circuit cameras will also be installed to prevent harassment incidents while hybrid electric buses designed to reduce emissions.

PPP City president, Zulfiqar Hayat Khan, speaking on this occasion has said that the new electric bus service will provide a cost-effective and environmentally friendly travel option for commuters as people would travel from Hassanabdal to Islamabad over just Rs50 fare which generally costs Rs400.

He said that during a meeting with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa discussed the expansion of electric bus routes to improve connectivity of Fatehjang and Hassanabdal with Islamabad. The bus service route was expanded after the approval of the board of directors.

He said the metro bus saved the time of the people who wanted to reach Islamabad from Hassanabdal early.

“The bus service saves 40 minutes, as regular service usually stops at a few designated bus stations between Hassanabdal and Islamabad,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025