RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated Phase I of the green electric bus service in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, unveiling a fleet of 45 buses operating on four key routes across the city.
The new e-buses come equipped with air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, free Wi-Fi, and mobile charging ports. The fare is set at Rs20 per person, while women, students, senior citizens, and special persons will enjoy free travel.
In the first phase, 45 buses will run across four routes:
- Route 1: Saddar to Qabristan Chowk via Qasim Market and Shalley Valley (7 km, 7 buses)
- Route 2: Fawara Chowk to Koral Chowk via Liaquat Bagh, Sir Syed Road, and Old Airport Road (11.3 km, 8 buses)
- Route 3: Saddar Metro Bus Station to Munawar Colony via Tulsa Road (7 buses)
- Route 4: Marrir Metro Bus Station to Motorway Chowk via The Mall and Peshawar Road (13.1 km, 14 buses)
The Punjab CM announced that the number of buses would increase to 80 in the coming days and that the service will also be introduced in Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock.
In addition to the e-bus service, Maryam Nawaz revealed a Rs30 billion plan to construct a signal-free corridor in Rawalpindi, expected to benefit 200,000 residents daily. She also announced a Rs100 billion drainage and sewage system for villages, the construction of the Thal Expressway from Rajana to Bhakkar, and plans to build a new cancer hospital in Rawalpindi following the completion of Lahore’s facility.
Highlighting her government’s achievements, Maryam Nawaz said that the Punjab government has undertaken unprecedented development in roads, hospitals, and housing over the past one and a half years. She also emphasized that the fare structure and facilities in the e-bus service would ensure safety and comfort, with separate compartments for women monitored via CCTV to prevent harassment.
On housing, she noted that 100,000 homes are under construction, and through the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme, 350–400 houses are being completed daily. Additionally, she highlighted the operational Sargodha Institute of Cardiology, the construction of a similar hospital in Murree, and ongoing educational and ration assistance programs benefiting millions of families.
Maryam Nawaz reiterated her government’s commitment to development, asserting that the PML-N has consistently delivered infrastructure, healthcare, and housing projects across Punjab.