Islamabad is set to witness a significant upgrade in its public transportation system this week with the introduction of 30 electric buses. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has confirmed that these eco-friendly vehicles will operate on two key routes, marking a new era in the city’s urban mobility.
The launch ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 5, with the possibility of the Interior Minister or Prime Minister in attendance. An official involved in the event preparations stated that the Interior Minister is likely to inaugurate the service.
This initial fleet of 30 buses is part of a larger plan to expand public transport in the capital. The CDA anticipates the arrival of 70 more electric buses from Karachi, with an additional 60 units to be shipped from China following their manufacture.
The two inaugural routes are:
- PIMS to Bari Imam: This route will serve the Diplomatic Enclave, Melody Market, Aabpara Market, Ataturk Road, Serena Hotel, Foreign Office, Radio Pakistan, and sectors G-7 and G-6.
- NUST to PIMS: Covering G-11, G-10, G-9, and G-8 Markaz, this route features 13 stations with buses arriving every 10 minutes.
The CDA’s ambitious plan includes a total of 11 routes serviced by 130 buses, connecting both rural and urban areas. The National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), under the Ministry of Defence, owns these buses and will operate them under a contract with the CDA. The authority will provide logistical support and compensate the contractor at a rate between Rs. 306 and Rs. 331 per kilometer.
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Infrastructure development is underway to support this new fleet. A charging station with six units has been established at the Convention Centre for the initial 30 buses. Another charging facility at the H-9 metro depot will cater to the 70 buses arriving from Karachi. The CDA is also constructing bus depots at Taramri, I-9, and Zero Point.
This initiative stems from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive during his previous term to introduce new bus services on 13 routes in Islamabad. In response, the CDA collaborated with NRTC to procure electric buses from a Chinese manufacturer.
The launch of these electric buses represents a significant step towards modernizing Islamabad’s public transport system, promising improved connectivity and reduced environmental impact for the capital’s residents.
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