ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) have launched its official mobile application “CDA Mobile App” which can be downloaded from the Play and Apple App Store and get complete information about electric and metro bus routes.

The App helps users better plan their journeys, including estimated travel times between locations. The application will also provide tourism guidance, featuring nearby places and points of interest so that tourists can obtain better information and travel planning about important locations in Islamabad.

The App features explained in a meeting presided over by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Mohammad Ali Randhawa.

The meeting was attended by Member Admin and Estate Talat Mahmood, Member Planning Dr Khalid Hafiz along with NRTC and other senior officers.

A briefing was given regarding the operations of metro and feeder electric buses and further improving modern travel facilities for the residents of Islamabad.

The meeting was briefed that that the key features of the CDA Mobile App include a trip planning feature that helps users better plan their journeys, including estimated travel times between locations. The application also provides tourism guidance, featuring nearby places and points of interest so that tourists can obtain better information and travel planning about important locations in Islamabad.

“It was further informed that this special application promptly delivers important announcements and notifications to users, including route changes and other essential information.

Through the routes feature, users can obtain information about all active routes in Islamabad. Additionally, data integrated with Google Maps provides users with route maps and details. It should be noted that transit map and schedule details are also available on CDA’s official website,” a statement issued by CDA claimed.

“CDA is also working on additional future services and facilities, including real-time tracking on Google Maps and activation of mobile wallets. Similarly, users will soon be able to pay fares through the mobile app.

The meeting was informed that work is progressing rapidly on the fare payment feature through the mobile app, which will be made operational soon. Chairman CDA directed that a system for automatic fare payment should be enabled through QR code generation, including ATM, Master, Visa and other cards, as well as banking apps, Easypaisa, JazzCash, etc.,” it stated.

The meeting was informed that the complete version of the application was currently in the final stages of development and will soon be launched live for user convenience.

The CDA chairman issued direction during the meeting, stating that effective publicity and public awareness should be generated for providing complete information and stop details of all electric buses, their routes, stations, and schedules on Google Maps so that citizens can have better access to state-of-the-art environmentally friendly and air-conditioned travel facilities. He said that the primary objective of this initiative was to provide citizens with complete information about electric buses from the comfort of their homes so they can plan their journeys optimally without facing any inconveniences.

The CDA chairman said that they were keen to further improve the quality of electric bus service and were taking all possible measures to elevate it to international standards. He directed that more routes should be selected where passenger demand and ridership are higher.

He said that all buses on Google Maps were being provided with prominent colours and stop details with easy-to-understand information so that ordinary passengers can easily determine bus routes and arrival times.

The CDA chairman said that they were developing the service with state-of-the-art technology and according to international best practices so that passengers can enjoy more comfort and better facilities. He said that CDA was committed to providing citizens with an excellent, safe and modern transport system and was working round the clock in that regard.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2025