In a significant move towards improving public transportation in Karachi, the Sindh government has introduced the much-anticipated “Peoples Bus Service.” This new addition to Karachi’s transportation network aims to provide efficient and accessible transit options for the city’s residents.
The People’s Bus Service now has air-conditioned red buses seating around 40 passengers, including dedicated spaces for women. They also have standing room for 40 more commuters. The fare is PKR 50 for most routes, except Route 9, which charges PKR 100 after Malir Halt.
Red Bus Service Routes
The Peoples Bus Service has introduced buses on eight routes, linking residential areas to key industrial and business hubs. Currently, 250 buses are operational on seven of these routes in the first phase.
- Route 1: Model Colony to Dockyard (28 km)
- Route 2: North Karachi to Indus Hospital (30 km)
- Route 3: Power House to Shaan Chowrangi (31 km)
- Route 4: Power House to Tower (21 km)
- Route 9: Gulshan e Hadeed to Tower (42 km)
- Route 10: Numaish Chowrangi to Ibrahim Hyderi (27.8 km)
- Route 11: Shireen Jinnah Colony to Miran Nakka Lyari (19 km)
These buses operate from 7 am to 10 pm, with a headway (time gap) of approximately 15 minutes during peak hours and 30 minutes during off-peak hours.
| Route# | Route Length (km) | Phase | Terminals | Route Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route 1 | 28 | Operational | Model Colony to Dockyard | Model Colony to Dockyard: via Model Mor, Malir Halt, Colony Gate, Nata Khan Bridge, Drigh Road Station, PAF Base Faisal, Laal Kothi, Karsaz, Nursery, FTC, Regent Plaza, Metropole, Fawwara Chowk, Arts Council, Shaheen Complex, I.I.Chundrigar, Tower, Fisheries, and Dockyard |
| Route 2 | 30 | Operational | North Karachi to Indus Hospital | North Karachi to Indus Hospital: via Nagan Chowrangi, Shafiq Morr, Sohrab Goth, Gulshan Chowranei, NIPA, Johar Morr, COD, Drigh Road Station, Colony Gate, Shah Faisal Colony, Singer Chowrangi and Landhi Road |
| Route 3 | 31 | Operational | Power House to Shaan Chowrangi | Power House, UP More, Nagan Chowrangi, Sakhi Hasan, 5 Star Chowrangi, KDA Chowrangi, Nazimabad Eid Gah Ground, Liaquatabad 10 Number, Essa Nagri, Civic Centre, National stadium, Karsaz, Nursery, FTC, Korangi Road, KPT Interchange upto Shan Chowrangi |
| Route 4 | 21 | Operational | Power House to Tower | Power House, UP Mor, Nagan Chowrangi, Shafiq Mor, Sohrab Goth, Shahrah e Pakistan, Ayesha Manzil, , Liaqautabad 10, Laloo Khait, Teen Hati, Jehangir Road, Numaish, Mobile Market, Urdu Bazar, Civil Hospital, City Court, Light House, Bolton Market, Tower |
| Route 9 | 42 | Operational | Gulshan e Hadeed to Tower | Salah Uddin Ayubi Road, Allah Wali Chowrangi, National Highway 5, Steel Mill More, Port Bin Qasim More, Razzakabad, Abdullah Goth, Chowkundi More, Fast University, Bhains Colony More, Manzil Pump, Quaidabad, Murghi Khana, Prince Aly Boys School, Nadra Center Malir, Malir Session Court, Malir 15, Kalaboard, Malir Halt, Colony Gate, Nata Khan Bridge, Drigh Road Station, PAF Base Faisal, Laal Kothi, Karsaz, Nursery, FTC, Regent Plaza, Metropole,Fawwara Chowk, Arts Council, Shaheen Complex and I.I.Chundrigar |
| Route 10 | 27.8 | Operational | Numaish Chowrangi to Ibrahim Hyderi | Numaish, Taj Complex, Capri Cinema, Mobile Market, Regal, Abdullah Haroon, Zainab Market, Fawara Chowk, Metropole, Frere Hall, PSO Head Office, 3 Talwar, Ocean Mall, 2 Talwar, Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar, Bagh Ibn E Qasim, Dolmen Mall Cilfton, Seaview Clock Tower, Khayaban e Ittehad, DHA Phase 7, DHA Phase 6, DHA Phase 2, KPT Interchange, Korangi Crossing, Indus Hospital, CBM University, PARCO, Ibrahim Hyderi |
| Route 11 | 19 | Operational | Shireen Jinnah Colony to Miran Nakka Lyari | Bilawal Chowrangi, 26th Street, Khadda Market, Gizri Road, Submarine Chowk, Eidgah Clifton, PIDC, Haji Camp, US Consulate General, M.T. Khan Road, Mauripur, Keamari and Lyari |
| Route 12 | 31 | Operational | Khokrapar to Lucky Star Saddar | Naddi Kinara, Khokhrapar, Saudabad Chowrangi, RCD Ground, Kalaboard, Malir 15, Malir Mandir, Malir Session Court, Murghi Khana, Quaidabad, Dawood Chowrangi, Babar Market, Landhi Road, Nasir Jump, Indus Hospital, Korangi Crossing, Qayyumabad, Defence Mor, National Medical Center, Gora Qabristan, FTC, Jutt Land, Lines Area, Army Public School, Lucky Star Saddar |
| EV-1 | 28 | Operational | CMH Malir Cantt to Dolmen Mall Clifton | CMH Malir Cantt, Tank Chowk, Model Colony Mor, Jinnah Ave, Airport, Colony Gate, Nata Khan Bridge, Drigh Road Station, PAF Base Faisal, Laal Kothi, Karsaz, Nursery, FTC, Korangi Road, DHA Phase 1, Masjid e Ayesha, Clock Tower DHA, Dolmen Mall Clifton |
| EV-2 | 30 | Operational | Bahria Town to Malir Halt | Bahria Town, Damba Goth, Toll Plaza, Baqai University, Malir Cantt Gate 5, Malir Cantt Gate 6, Tank Chowk, Model Mor, Jinnah Ave, Malir Halt |
| EV-3 | 20 | Operational | Malir Cantt Check Post 5 to Numaish | Malir Cantt Check Post 5, Rim Jhim Tower, Safoora Chowrangi, Mausamiyat Chowrangi, Kamran Chowrangi, Johar Chowrangi, Johar Mor, Millennium Mall, Dalmia Road, Bahria University, National Stadium, Aga Khan Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, PIB Colony, Jail Chowrangi, Dawood Engineering University, Islamia College, People Secretariat Chowrangi, Numaish |
People Bus Service Electric Bus
The Peoples Bus Service has introduced electric buses, named EV-1, EV-2, and EV-3, serving routes from CMH Malir Cantt to Dolmen Mall Clifton, Bahria Town to Malir Halt, and Malir Cantt Check Post 5 to Numaish, respectively.
Easy Access and Ticketing
Travelers can board Peoples Buses at their nearest bus stop without pre-booking. Tickets are available from the bus conductor, and the average wait time at stops is around 10-15 minutes.
Operational Details
The Red Bus Service Karachi runs daily, including Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, providing consistent service. However, it may face disruptions in extreme weather conditions, although it operates during rainy weather.
Passengers have the option to transfer between two routes to reach their destination, but separate tickets are required for each ride.
In August 2023, the Red Bus Service expanded its coverage by adding two new routes: R12, connecting Khokrapar to Lucky Star Saddar via Quaidabad and Korangi Crossing, and EV-3, serving the route from Malir Cantt Check Post 5 to Numaish via Johar Chowrangi and Bahria University.
Beyond the Peoples Bus Service
It’s important to note that the Peoples Bus Service is distinct from the existing and planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines in Karachi, which include the Redline BRT (Malir Halt to Numaish), Green Line BRT (Surjani to Numaish), Yellow Line BRT (Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish), and the Karachi Circular Railway. These initiatives collectively aim to revolutionize Karachi’s public transportation system, offering commuters more options and improved connectivity.
Stay tuned for further developments as remaining routes under the Peoples Bus Service are expected to become operational in the near future, enhancing Karachi’s transportation landscape.
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