ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the city managers to reverse the decision to increase fare of the CDA buses.

The Capital Development Authority had increased the fare from Rs 50 to Rs 100 from June 1.

However, public reacted and criticised the CDA for doubling the fare. Sources said the prime minister took notice of the decision and ordered CDA to withdraw the fare increase.

CDA had decided on Monday to reduce the subsidy on bus service, and fare was increased from Rs50 to Rs100.

Sources said the prime minister also intervened on Tuesday and directed the CDA to withdraw the increase in the fare.

“After the prime minister’s intervention there are certain chances that the fare would be reversed from Wednesday,” said a source in CDA.

Chairman CDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa could not be reached for his comments.

However, at least three officials confirmed to Dawn that fare increase decision would be reversed.

The CDA has been paying subsidy to ensure smooth service of metro and electric buses on various routes.

The Orange Line Metro (which goes towards the airport), Blue Lines from Pims to Gulberg Green, Green Line, which runs from Pims to Bhara Kahu and electric buses, which ply on almost 16 routes, started charging Rs100 per stop

instead of previous rate of Rs 50 from Monday.

Besides metro buses, last year CDA’s contractor - NRTC - brought 160 electric buses to Islamabad.

CDA pays roughly Rs350 per kilometres to the contractor. Out of the total, only around 120 of the buses are being operated because of the shortage of charging facility. However, CDA is constructing a depot at Zero Point, where it will have full charging capacity.

So far, there are no proper bus stops and electric boards on stops for guidance of passengers and arrival timings of buses.

According to CDA’s own record, over 85,000 citizens travel daily on these buses.

“Previously, with a fare of Rs50 per ride, the CDA incurred annual expenses of Rs5.12 billion, while revenue stood at only Rs1.46 billion, requiring a Rs3.66 billion subsidy each year. With the new fare adjustment of Rs100 per ride, revenue is expected to rise to Rs2.33 billion. However, to maintain the operational stability and continuity of high-quality, eco-friendly, air-conditioned bus services in the future, the CDA still needs to provide a substantial subsidy of Rs2.79 billion annually,” the CDA had stated in its press release issued on Monday.

However, sources said that after public reaction, the CDA has in principle decided to reverse its decision.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025