GUJAR KHAN: The Punjab government’s electric bus service offered a significant relief to commuters travelling between Sohawa, Gujar Khan and Islamabad during Eid amid soaring fuel prices.

However, residents have demanded the induction of more buses and the extension of routes to Daultala, Guliana, Gujar Khan, Dhudial, Syed Kasran, Jatli and Mandra, Bewal, Gujar Khan to ensure wider coverage of the largest tehsil in Rawalpindi Division.

Qari Noor Alam, a prayer leader at a mosque in Gujar Khan, said he and his five-member family previously spent up to Rs5,000 on a return journey between Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi. “After the launch of electric buses, travel expenses have reduced to nil up to Rawat.

Though private transport between Rawat and Rawalpindi remains costly. On Green Buses, children, women and men above 60 years of age travel free. I am above 60, and my wife, daughters and teenage son all travel free of charge,” he said.

Mohammad Usman, a resident of Sohawa, said that the Green Bus service has provided easy and direct access to Rawalpindi via Gujar Khan.

He added that he can now travel to Gujar Khan for just Rs20, while women, children and elderly passengers travel free. “Electric buses provide affordable fares to Islamabad. I have stopped using my motorbike and private transport, which used to cost Rs600 per person for a one-way journey to Islamabad,” he said.

He, however, pointed out that some stops, including Baba Shaheed and New Behgaam, need relocation on the Sohawa–Gujar Khan route.

Residents expressed gratitude to the government for the initiative and called for better connectivity between Rawat and the Swan stop in Rawalpindi.

Senator Pervez Rashid, adviser to the chief minister, said over 1,200 electric buses were originally ordered by the Punjab government, of which fewer than 800 have been delivered so far. He added that once more buses are available, routes will be expanded and rationalised in line with public demand.

Published in Dawn, March 23th, 2026