Daily Times

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif formally launched Pakistan’s first electric bus service. She rode in the electric bus and also inspected it in detail. Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar gave a detailed briefing about the electric vehicle bus service pilot project in Lahore. It was informed in the briefing that the electric bus has GPS location recorder, Wi-Fi, USB port and other facilities. The electric bus will have the capacity of 30 seats and 80 passengers can travel in it. The electric bus will have ramps and seats reserved for differently-abled passengers.

For the first time, an anti-slip sheet has been used on the floor in an electric bus for the protection of passengers. 9 specific charging stations have been set up in Green Town Hamdard Chowk depot for Pakistan’s electric buses. The electric bus will be able to cover a distance of 250 km after each charging and will complete its route four times. A route display will also be seen in the bus for the convenience of passengers. A separate section for women in the electric bus will be designated, cameras will also be installed to prevent harassment incidents.

It was apprised in the briefing that 27 electric buses will be operated on Lahore’s longest 21-km route. The e-bus service will start from Railway Station to Green Town via Queens Road, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge and Ichra Canal. 17,000 passengers will be able to travel on Lahore’s first e-bus service daily. An official launching of EV bus service from the Railway Station to Green Town route will start in mid-February. 42 state-of-the-art bus shelters will be established on the Railway Station up to Green Town route and buses will arrive after every 9 minutes.

A special app will also be introduced for the electric bus so as to enable bus tracking. The fare of the electric bus can be paid through digital wallets and digital cards. Universal transport cards will also be issued. Special training of 70 drivers for the electric buses has started.

Meanwhile, CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting to review e-taxi project. She directed to review installation of solar fans and water coolers at bus stands and ordered to install safe city cameras at every bus stand as well. She directed to review prospects of assembling e-taxi in Punjab along with undertaking steps to establish electric charging stations in collaboration with the private sector.

Torture on Elderly Citizen

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif took serious notice of a police officer’s torture on an elderly citizen in Multan. She sought a report from IG Punjab, and said, “The incident is regrettable. The Police have no right to torture civilians.” She added, “The police should adopt an attitude of respect and honor towards the citizens.”