LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to take all buses off the roads that have a mileage of over 100,000 kilometers (kms) in view of the revival of the public transport system in the province.
Punjab cabinet has ordered the excise department to cancel the registration of all such vehicles.
Changes over a decade
The Punjab government has brought significant changes in the public transport system across the province.
The wagons and small buses were taken off the road while instead a new bus service was launched.
Meanwhile, Lahore Transport Company (LTC) was established and buses under it plied on the roads on different routes of the provincial capital.
As part of the revival program, Punjab Transit Authority (PTA) was established after which Metro Bus Service (MBS) was launched in Lahore, Multan, and between Islamabad and Rawalpindi respectively.
Now, the Orange Line service has been initiated in Lahore too.
Modern Bus terminal
Further, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered the construction of a modern bus terminal near Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore.
He said that new bus terminals would be constructed in Faisalabad and Multan too.
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Punjab transport department has been directed to submit the design of the terminal by December 10. The government also intends to launch electric buses in big cities of the province.
The chief minister has already directed the transport department to settle all issues pertaining to the procurement of buses.
The Chief Minister said a new transport facility will also help reduce environmental degradation and smog.
Public Transport Condition in Sindh
However, there is an upended situation in the province of Sindh and particularly in the megacity, Karachi.
Karachi Transport Ittehad President Irshad Bukhari, while talking to News360, said that the transport system would remain in disrepair until the government supported them.
He told the Sindh transport minister and other related officials.
It was decided that the bank would provide a loan of Rs 9 million while the transporter would give Rs 1 million for purchasing a new vehicle worth Rs 10 million.
Similarly, for a vehicle costing Rs 5 million, the transporter would share Rs 500,000 while the remaining amount would be dispensed as a loan.
Roughly, Bukhari said that some 500 buses were set on fire in Karachi during different protests over the years.
The official expressed that only they were aware of the condition of the buses they were running. He added that the public transport system in Karachi would not ameliorate without the government’s support.