Islamabad is poised to introduce a new electric bus service this week, with 30 vehicles ready to hit the streets. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has confirmed that the inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Friday, July 5.
Sources close to the project suggest that the Interior Minister is likely to preside over the launch event, though there’s a possibility the Prime Minister may attend. Preparations for the ceremony are currently underway.
The initial fleet of 30 electric buses arrived in Islamabad last month. The CDA plans to expand the service with an additional 70 buses expected from Karachi, followed by 60 more to be shipped from China after manufacture.
Two routes have been established for the new service:
- PIMS to Bari Imam: This route will cover 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: This route will serve sectors G-11, G-10, G-9, and G-8 Markaz, with 13 stations and buses running at 10-minute intervals.
The CDA aims to eventually operate 130 buses across 11 routes, connecting rural and urban areas. The National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), under the Ministry of Defence, owns the buses and will operate them under contract with the CDA. The authority will provide logistical support and pay the contractor between Rs. 306 and Rs. 331 per kilometer.
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A charging station with six units has been set up at the Convention Centre for the initial 30 buses. Another charging facility at the H-9 metro depot will serve the 70 buses coming from Karachi. The CDA is also constructing bus depots at Taramri, I-9, and Zero Point.
This initiative follows 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 the NRTC to procure electric buses from a Chinese manufacturer.
The launch of this eco-friendly public transport system marks a significant step towards improving urban mobility and reducing environmental impact in Pakistan’s capital city.
