Islamabad to get electric buses

ISLAMABAD: The federal capital is on the brink of a groundbreaking transformation in its public transportation system as significant progress has been made in the acquisition of electric buses.

Reliable sources have disclosed that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has initiated the process by opening a letter of credit (LC) for the purchase of these eco-friendly buses. This move underscores a substantial commitment to enhance the city’s public transport infrastructure.

Following the opening of the LC by SBP, the requisite funds have been allocated for the procurement of these electric buses. In the coming two months, Islamabad is set to welcome the arrival of the first consignment of electric buses.

Insider information suggests that by the end of November this year, a delegation from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) will visit China to inspect these state-of-the-art buses. After the inspection by the CDA team, the first batch of 30 electric buses will be transported to Pakistan.

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The subsequent batches are equally impressive, with 70 electric buses in the second batch and an additional 60 in the third. These electric buses are destined to operate on 13 public routes in Islamabad, enhancing the city’s eco-friendly and sustainable transportation network.

It’s worth noting that while 128 electric buses are required for Islamabad’s public transport system, a total of 160 buses are being procured. The extra 32 buses are a strategic move to account for potential delays related to charging and any technical issues, ensuring a reliable and efficient public transport service for the residents of Islamabad.