LAHORE, Dec 25: The Punjab Metro Bus Authority (PMBA) in collaboration with Turkish experts conducted on Tuesday a ‘test run’ of some articulated buses on dedicated corridor’s stretch from Gajjumata to Kalma Chowk.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the test run in the presence of Turkish experts and senior officials of PMBA, Lahore Transport Company (LTC), LDA, TEPA, CDGL and Transport Department.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the Metro Bus System (MBS) was the first-ever innovative project that would bring about a wonderful change in the transport culture.

He said the formal operation of Metro buses would be conducted within the next few days.

The MBS trial operation was launched on Ferozepur Road from Ittefaq Bus Station to Gajumata, Gajumata to Kalma Chowk and Kalma Chowk to Ittefaq Bus Station.

The CM said as the work was extensively under way, the project would be completed soon. He said a modern e-ticketing system was being introduced for the convenience of passengers. “The articulated buses have started reaching Lahore.

Six of the total 45 have been received by the authorities concerned. Each bus has a capacity of more than 150 passengers and it will be available to people after every three minutes.”

Earlier, three buses were plied from Ittefaq Bus Station to Gajumata, Gajumata to Kalma Chowk and Kalma Chowk to Ittefaq Bus Station.

In the first bus, besides the chief minister, advisers, LTC chairman, LDA DG, chief traffic officer and representatives of Turkish and Chinese bus manufacturing companies were on board.

The CM inaugurated the run by driving the bus from Chungi Amar Sidhu to Gajumata. A number of people gathered as soon as the bus carrying the CM and other officials reached Gajumata. On this occasion, Shahbaz Sharif asked the people about fares of buses. Later, he also reviewed arrangements at Ittefaq Bus Station.