The Chinese Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SRT) metro—described as trackless, ticketless, and battery-powered—is set to be showcased at Punjab’s first-ever Transport Expo 2025, which is to take place on September 4–5 at the Expo Centre Lahore, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday.

The tram will be exhibited in Hall No. 2, where visitors can experience firsthand how this advanced system combines technology, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The SRT metro was imported into Pakistan by the Chinese company NORINCO International on July 21, 2025.

NORINCO has already established its presence in Pakistan by launching, operating, and maintaining the Orange Line Metro Rail Transit System (OLMT) in Lahore—the country’s first electric railway transportation project—completed on October 25, 2020, under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Transport Expo 2025, organized by the Punjab Government in collaboration with the Transport & Mass Transit Department, will also bring together leading local and international companies to showcase the future of sustainable and smart mobility in Pakistan.

A Punjab Transport Department official told Gwadar Pro that, guided by the vision of creating green, smart, and accessible cities, the department continues to invest in advanced technologies that ensure efficiency, safety, and environmental responsibility.

Mr. Taha Khan Azizi, Deputy Manager PR, added: “Through this expo, we aim to engage with the people of Pakistan, showcase NORINCO’s commitment to sustainable urban transport, and highlight the spirit of Pakistan-China friendship that drives these groundbreaking projects.”

The SRT bus is a cutting-edge electric vehicle that operates without traditional tracks, providing a flexible and sustainable alternative to conventional mass transit. Already in use in cities such as Dubai, the SRT bus is noted for its adaptability and environmental benefits.

Measuring up to 30 meters in length, the vehicle is powered by two engines and can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Despite its size, it boasts remarkable maneuverability, capable of turning within a radius as small as 15 meters.

Dubbed a “subway on wheels,” the SRT system employs Virtual Track Technology, using advanced sensors, GPS, and digital mapping instead of physical rails. This fully electric, battery-powered vehicle is part of a pilot project aimed at assessing its potential to transform urban travel in Pakistan.

The ART system, modeled after the SRT, will feature electric, multi-coach buses capable of carrying 250 to 300 passengers each. Unlike traditional metro or BRT systems, the SRT/ART models require no costly tracks or elevated corridors, enabling faster and more affordable rollouts in both major cities and smaller urban centers.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China