Maryam launches country’s ‘first fully electric’ bus service in Lahore

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated Pakistan’s first fully electric bus service on Friday.

She rode in the electric bus and thoroughly inspected its features.

Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar provided a detailed briefing on the electric bus pilot project in Lahore.

During the briefing, officials informed that the electric bus is equipped with a GPS location recorder, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and other modern facilities. It has a seating capacity of 30 passengers, while up to 80 people can travel in total. Special features include ramps and designated seats for differently-abled passengers.

For the first time, an anti-slip sheet has been installed on the floor of an electric bus to enhance passenger safety. Nine dedicated charging stations have been set up at the Green Town Hamdard Chowk depot to support the electric bus fleet. Each bus can cover 250 km per charge, allowing it to complete its route four times per charging cycle. A route display system has been installed for passengers’ convenience, while a separate section for women will be designated. Cameras will also be installed to prevent harassment incidents.

The briefing further revealed that 27 electric buses will operate on Lahore’s longest 21-km route, running from Railway Station to Green Town via Queens Road, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge, and Ichhra Canal. The service is expected to cater to 17,000 passengers daily.

The official launch of the electric bus service for the Railway Station–Green Town route is scheduled for mid-February. Additionally, 42 state-of-the-art bus shelters will be established along the route, with buses arriving every nine minutes.

A special mobile app will be introduced, enabling real-time bus tracking. Passengers will be able to pay fares through digital wallets and transport cards, with universal transport cards also being issued. Special training for 70 electric bus drivers is already underway.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz presided over a meeting to review the e-taxi project. She directed officials to assess the feasibility of installing solar fans and water coolers at bus stands and ordered the installation of Safe City cameras at every bus stand.

She further instructed authorities to explore the possibility of assembling e-taxis in Punjab and emphasised the need for establishing electric charging stations in collaboration with the private sector.

The chief minister took notice of a police officer’s torture of an elderly citizen in Multan.

She sought a report from the IGP and expressed her regret over the incident.

“The incident is regrettable. The police have no right to torture civilians. Law enforcement should adopt an attitude of respect and honour towards citizens.”