Islamabad is set to revolutionize its public transportation with the launch of thirty electric buses (E-Buses) this week. These buses, which arrived last month, will be officially inaugurated on July 5. The ceremony is expected to be attended by either the Prime Minister or the Interior Minister, according to an official statement.
The introduction of these E-Buses is a significant step towards sustainable urban transportation in the capital city. An official from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) mentioned, “Preparations are in progress for the inauguration ceremony on July 5; there are chances that the Interior Minister will inaugurate this bus service.”
The CDA plans to expand this initiative further with seventy additional buses expected to arrive from Karachi. Additionally, sixty more buses will be procured from China, enhancing the city’s green transportation network.
Route Details
Initially, the thirty E-Buses will serve two primary routes:
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NUST to PIMS:
- Starting at NUST and ending at PIMS, this route will pass through key locations such as G-11 Markaz, G-10 Markaz, G-9 Markaz, and G-8 Markaz. The route will feature 13 stops with a bus arriving every 10 minutes.
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PIMS to Bari Imam:
- This route will start from PIMS and conclude at Bari Imam, passing through G-7, G-6, Melody, Aabpara, Ataturk Road, Serena Hotel, Foreign Office, Radio Pakistan, and the Diplomatic Enclave.
The new buses are owned by the CDA’s contractor, the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defence. The CDA will compensate the contractor with fares ranging from Rs306 to Rs331 per kilometer and provide necessary logistics support.
Infrastructure and Charging Facilities
At the outset, the buses will operate from the Convention Centre, where the CDA has installed a charging station equipped with six charging points. Additionally, a facility has been set up at the H-9 metro depot to support seventy more buses.
To accommodate the growing fleet, the CDA is also constructing new bus depots at:
- Zero Point
- I-9
- Tramri
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been a strong advocate for this service, urging the CDA to expedite its implementation. Consequently, the civic agency partnered with the NRTC to procure the E-Buses from an international manufacturer in China.
Conclusion
The launch of thirty E-Buses in Islamabad marks a pivotal moment in the city’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility. With the planned expansion and continued support from the government, Islamabad is on track to becoming a model for eco-friendly public transportation in Pakistan