ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is planning to start a double-decker bus service for promotion of tourism in Islamabad.

Sources said that recently the CDA approached Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) for a feasibility study and estimate for procuring the buses.

They said that initially CDA plans to start the service with four buses for the city tour – a 25km trip – starting from F-9 Park and covering all important points, including Faisal Mosque, Lok Virsa and Shakarparian.

The CDA is in touch with HIT and soon further steps will be taken to procure the buses. “If all goes as planned, in three months, this service will be made functional,” said an official of the CDA.

According to Heavy Industries Taxila’s website, HIT “specializes in the design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and testing of advanced electric buses, providing reliable, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation solution to public transit, industrial complexes, educational institutions, airports and commercial fleet operations.”

In the light of input from HIT, we will move forward. “Nothing is final yet, we may go for importing buses from China as our contractor did while procuring 160 electric buses. We are waiting for input from HIT,” said the official, adding that the double-deckers will be environment-friendly electric buses.

The CDA through its contractor has already been running an electric bus service on over 20 routes in Islamabad with a fleet of over 160 buses with overwhelming response from citizens, as a large number of citizens travel through these buses daily.

It is relevant to note here that the CDA on several occasions in the past had also claimed that it will start a tram service in Islamabad; however, that announcement could not be translated into reality.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2026