Sindh Information and Transport Minister stated that the new buses imported from China are fully compliant with European environmental protocols because they emit no pollution.
In Karachi, the Sindh government has launched the country’s first electric public bus service.
The vehicles, which were launched under the provincial Transport Department’s People’s Bus Service, began operations from Jinnah Avenue near Malir Cantonment to Sea View near the city’s coastline. Other routes in Karachi will also see the introduction of electric public bus service.
The service was launched by the Sindh Information and Transport Minister, the Labour and Human Resources Minister, and the Local Government Minister. They also rode in one of the electric buses and examined commuter facilities.
The Sindh Information and Transport Minister stated that the new service reflected the ruling Pakistan People’s Party’s vision of introducing the most environmentally friendly, modern, comfortable, and affordable mass transportation facilities for the province’s urban population.
He stated that the new buses imported from China are fully compliant with European environmental protocols because they emit no pollution.
He said that a special feature of the first route was that the passengers would also get the opportunity to go to the Karachi International Airport. He said that Rs 50 would be the minimum fare for travellers, airport visitors, and employees in Karachi.
Otherwise, intending air travellers pay exorbitant fares to use regular cabs and ride-hailing services in the city to get to the airport, according to the Sindh Information and Transport Minister.
The provincial government’s push to modernise the mass transportation facilities in all of the province’s urban centres would continue, he said. The buses began their test run in November. China supplied a total of 50 electric buses. The 12-meter-long buses have seating for 34 passengers, including two spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
Standing passengers on the bus could number up to 40. The government intends to hire private partners to build solar-powered charging stations for these buses.