Islamabad receives 146 electric buses, remaining 14 on the way

ISLAMABAD: The first batch of 146 electric buses, out of a total of 160, has finally arrived in Islamabad, bringing a smoother travel experience a step closer for the city’s residents.

According to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the remaining 14 buses have already left China and are expected to reach Islamabad soon.

CDA officials also shared that work is now underway on the Zero Point charging station. The project had faced delays earlier, with the tender being cancelled twice, but a new one has now been issued at lower rates.

Initially, the focus will be on setting up charging points and parking spaces for the buses along the new routes.

In the first phase, temporary offices will be set up in containers, and driver training on the new routes will begin. The training is expected to take about a month. Commuters can soon expect buses to start operating on routes such as Park Road, B-7, PWD, I-8, and I-9, all of which have already been approved.

In another development, the Punjab government recently announced on December 4 that 102 electric buses will soon be hitting the roads in Rawalpindi.

These buses will run on an 84-kilometre route that covers 10 major public transport corridors. The provincial government has already set aside Rs200 million for the project, with a total budget of Rs4.7 billion.

This move is seen as a big step toward improving air quality by cutting down on environmental pollution. Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan confirmed earlier this year that the e-bus service will start next year, with routes connecting Taxila, Wah Cantt, and IJP Road to Akhteree 26, as well as a route linking Daulatala to Rawalpindi.

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