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ransport infrastructure in the Punjab has long mirrored the inertia of fragmented governance. Congested roads and a widening urban-rural mobility divide are the hallmarks of this inertia. In 2025, the Punjab government launched a sweeping overhaul aimed at re-engineering public mobility through electrification, metro expansion and digital transparency. This is not merely a transit upgrade; it is a governance prototype.
The deployment of over 1,100 electric buses, including 613 newly inducted across major cities, marks a decisive pivot toward climate-conscious policy. These zero-emission vehicles, equipped with CCTV, automated doors and low boarding platforms, reflect a commitment to environmental justice and urban dignity. The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s climate obligations and signals a shift from reactive infrastructure to anticipatory planning.
Equally significant is the expansion of Metro and Bus Rapid Transit corridors, including the Rs 10 billion Yellow Line in Lahore. Alongside this, feasibility studies and seed funding have been allocated for mass transit systems in Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Lahore, signaling a commitment to scalable urban mobility.
Pilot extensions of electric and BRT services to mid-sized cities such as Sialkot, Gujrat and Bahawalpur reinforce this shift toward decentralised planning. This spatial rebalancing is essential for equitable growth and reflects a broader recognition that sustainable development must reach beyond the provincial capital.
Digital governance anchors the reform. Smart ticketing systems, real-time tracking apps and centralised fare collection mechanisms introduce transparency and efficiency into a sector historically plagued by opacity and fragmentation. With Rs 50 million allocated to digital infrastructure, including the development of a Transport Tower and vehicle testing labs, the Punjab has positions itself at the intersection of mobility and accountability. These systems not only streamline commuter experience but also create data-driven feedback loops for future planning.
The launch of women-only buses staffed by female conductors is a corrective to decades of gendered exclusion in public transport. It reframes mobility as a site of safety and access, not vulnerability. Given complaints of harassment and insecurity that allegedly deter women from using public transit, this initiative is profound in the architecture of inclusive reform. It also reflects a growing awareness that infrastructure must serve all demographics equitably.
The Rs 85 billion transport budget for FY 2025-26 reflects both ambition and institutional seriousness. Of this, Rs 80.43 billion is earmarked for new initiatives, while Rs 4.57 billion will sustain ongoing projects. Investments in electric bus depots, urban terminals and feasibility studies suggest a long-term vision rather than short-term optics. The budget’s composition reveals a strategic pivot from patchwork upgrades to systemic transformation.
The reform’s significance extends beyond transit. It offers a replicable model for governance – one that embeds sustainability, digital transparency and social inclusion into infrastructure. By treating mobility as a public right rather than a private privilege, the Punjab has reframed the role of the state in shaping urban life. This approach challenges the legacy of elite-centric development and opens space for participatory planning.
The challenge now is continuity. Reform must outlast political cycles and resist bureaucratic regression. Institutional memory, inter-agency coordination and regulatory clarity will be critical in sustaining momentum. Without these, even the most promising initiatives risk dilution or reversal.
Rural connectivity remains under-addressed and integration with intercity rail and freight systems is still nascent.
However, the programme’s architecture and its emphasis on electrification, decentralisation and digital governance has provided a foundation for iterative improvement.
The Punjab’s transport initiative is a rare instance of anticipatory governance. It reflects a willingness to invest not just in vehicles and terminals, but in the very logic of public service delivery. If sustained and scaled, it could redefine how provinces approach mobility. This shift will recast mobility not as a logistical challenge, but as a democratic imperative.
The writer is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He holds an LLM in dispute resolution from the University of Aberdeen and a master’s degree in English. He works as a legal and contracts specialist with the Asian Development Bank and government authorities. He can be reached at sbilalhussaingmail.com.