Punjab govt plans to run 102 electric buses in Rawalpindi

The Punjab government has decided to run 102 electric buses in Rawalpindi. 

A proposal in this regard has been floated. According to the plan, electric buses will be run on an 84 kilometres long route and the project will cost the provincial government Rs7 billion.

Sources say the Punjab government has released Rs4.7 billion for the project, which will cover 10 public transport routes. The project will also help curb environmental pollution in the city. 

Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan had said in June this year that e-bus service in Rawalpindi will be functional next year. He said there will be multiple routes including, one from Taxila, Wah Cantt, IJ Principal Road to Octori 26, and another connecting Daultala to Rawalpindi.

Later in August this year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved a plan to run 200 electric buses in Rawalpindi. This initiative followed an agreement between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Chinese government during his visit to China. The agreement focused on combating environmental pollution and advancing eco-friendly public transport solutions across Islamabad and all provinces of Pakistan.

The new electric bus service will offer international-standard public transport to Rawalpindi residents, covering various routes within the city and Rawalpindi Cantonment. The initiative includes the development of state-of-the-art bus terminals, with 100 buses’ capacity at the old GTS bus depot in Chohard Choke and a modern terminal on Adamjee Road in Rawalpindi Cantonment. Additionally, 40 electric chargers will be installed at these terminals to support the electric fleet.