Lahore receives 27 electric buses with modern amenities

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the first batch of electric buses in Lahore on the occasion of the launch of Pakistan’s first fully electric public transport service. The buses will operate on the city’s longest route, providing a modern and eco-friendly travel option.

The buses are equipped with GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and various accessibility features for disabled passengers, including ramps and designated seating. Each bus can accommodate 80 passengers with 30 seats available.

A total of 27 electric buses will operate on a 21-km route from the railway station to Green Town, covering Queen’s Road, Mazang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge and Ichhra Canal.

The service is expected to carry 17,000 passengers daily, with its official public launch scheduled for mid-February. The buses will run every nine minutes, and 42 modern bus shelters will be built along the route.

Nine charging stations have been installed at the Green Town Hamdard Chowk depot to support the fleet. The buses have a travel range of 250 km per charge, allowing them to complete four full routes before recharging.

A separate section will be set aside for women, and surveillance cameras will be installed to prevent harassment.

A mobile app will allow real-time tracking, and passengers can pay fares through digital wallets and transport cards, with universal transport cards also being introduced. Training for 70 electric bus drivers is already underway.

During the launch, Maryam Nawaz inspected the features of the bus while provincial transport minister Bilal Akbar briefed her on the pilot project.

In a separate meeting, the chief minister reviewed the plans for the e-taxi project and directed the authorities to examine the feasibility of installing solar fans and water coolers at bus stands.

He also ordered the installation of Safe City cameras at every bus stand and urged the private sector to cooperate in setting up charging stations for electric vehicles.