A meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reviewed key developments in the province’s transport sector and approved several new initiatives to improve public mobility. Officials informed the meeting that more than 125,000 passengers have benefited from the free transport service currently operating on 21 routes. Under this program, a total of 3,560 bus trips have been completed so far.

The government has approved the introduction of electric buses in 10 districts: Attock, Bhakkar, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Layyah, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, and Okara.According to the briefing, 100 electric buses will arrive in Punjab within the current month, followed by 350 more by mid-May and another 264 by the end of June.

Authorities also plan to establish a dedicated bus depot in each division to support the electric fleet. The chief minister has directed officials to present a plan for operating 1,500 electric buses at the tehsil level, indicating a major expansion of the initiative.The meeting also reviewed progress on mass transit system projects in Gujranwala and Faisalabad. A report on Punjab’s first e-taxi scheme was presented, stating that 194 e-taxis will be introduced in May and 208 in June.

Maryam Nawaz further instructed that construction and renovation of metro bus stations be completed as soon as possible and approved new station designs. Progress on the “Empower Her” project, which aims to install modern bus stations in Lahore, was also reviewed.Additionally, in-principle approval was granted for an e-bike project for government employees, as part of efforts to promote sustainable and affordable transportation across the province.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)