Punjab’s first green buses hit the roads today; fare capped at Rs20

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the first electric bus project on Wednesday (yesterday), with these green buses to debut on roads today.

In the weeks leading up to the launch of these buses, CM Nawaz and Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb repeatedly spoke about transformation of the province’s public transport sector, from fossil fuel based vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). During the climate conference, Breathe Pakistan, held in Islamabad earlier this month, Aurangzeb shared details of the new climate policy of the province. She said that Punjab will have 1,000 EVs, out of which 27 will be on the roads before February-end. Moreover, 200,000 EVs (two-wheelers and three-wheelers) along with requisite charging stations are also on the cards for Punjab during fiscal year 2024-2025.

Fleet of 27 electric buses ready to hit Lahore’s roads

Yesterday, the first batch of 27 green buses was launched. CM Maryam Nawaz took to social media to share that these buses are equipped with “Wi-Fi, tracking system, cameras for the safety of women, and fans and water coolers at bus stops.”

The chief minister also said that the fare for these buses has been kept at PKR20 to facilitate the public and to ease transition towards green transportation. Maryam Nawaz wrote, “students, senior citizens and people with disabilities will be able to travel for free” on these buses.

INVESTMENT INVITED IN PUNJAB’S TRANSPORT SECTOR

At the launch ceremony of the green buses, Punjab CM Nawaz said that 500 more buses are expected to arrive in the province by August. She said that the provincial government is already in the process of manufacturing more buses. Chinese investors have also been invited to invest in Punjab’s transport sector.

She said that green buses are not only meant to improve public transportation, but they are also part of the efforts to reduce emissions and pollution.

‘Green wall’ against smog: Punjab to convert 978 acres of land into forests

Earlier this year, Punjab went through intense crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles. The severity of smog and persistent hazardous air quality led the provincial government to shut down schools and reduce operational hours for businesses as well. Provincial capital Lahore remained atop the list of most polluted cities in the world for many weeks this winter.

Consequently, the provincial government came up with a detailed framework to tackle the instance of pollution and smoke in the province. Electric vehicles, and solarisation of public buildings are part of the broader efforts in Punjab to tackle climate impacts.