Fleet equipped with GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and ramps for people with disabilities
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the province’s first fully electric bus service in Lahore. The new fleet consists of buses with a capacity of 30 seats and the ability to carry 80 passengers.
The electric buses are equipped with modern amenities, including GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and ramps for people with disabilities. In a bid to improve safety, anti-slip flooring has been installed, and cameras are placed to prevent harassment.
To ensure efficiency, nine specialized charging stations have been set up, and each bus will be able to cover a distance of 250 kilometers on a full charge. A digital wallet and card system will also be introduced to facilitate cashless travel.
By mid-February, the service will begin, with buses running every 9 minutes, and 42 modern bus shelters to be installed. The Chief Minister also reviewed plans for installing solar fans, water coolers, and surveillance cameras at bus stations and emphasized special training for 70 bus drivers. There will be separate sections for women in the electric bus.
Initially, 27 electric buses will be operated on 21-kilometer route from Railway Station to Green Town via Queen’s Road, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge and canal. The bus will leave after every nine minutes.
Minister Akbar said 17,000 passengers will be able to travel daily on Lahore’s first electric bus service.
The fare can be paid through digital wallets and digital cards. Later, universal transport cards will also be issued. Later, a meeting was held with the chief minister in the chair to review the e-taxi project in Lahore. She directed to review the assembling of e-taxis in Punjab. She also directed to take steps to establish electric charging stations in partnership with the private sector.
