Karachi is all set to get a new look in public transport. Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon recently announced that the provincial government is gearing up to bring double-decker buses to the city. This exciting news was shared during an important meeting that included key figures like Soheb Shafiq, the director, and Abdul Shakoor, who manages the People’s Bus Service.
During the meeting, it was revealed that the government plans to buy 50 new buses for the People’s Bus Service. Sharjeel emphasized the need to speed up the procurement process, urging the Mass Transit Authority and related departments to get moving. “We want to modernize public transport in Karachi,” he said, highlighting that this initiative will not only improve urban transport but also provide citizens with affordable and comfortable travel options.
In addition to the new buses, Sharjeel stressed the urgent need to complete the construction of bus stations for the People’s Bus Service. This quick action aims to meet the growing transport needs of Karachi’s residents.
Earlier, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called for the Planning and Development (P&D) Department to fast-track the approval of 162 development schemes worth Rs75.639 billion as part of Karachi’s overall development plan of Rs187.3 billion. This allocation includes Rs14.8 billion for the upcoming financial year, with a focus on completing these projects on time.
In a related update, the Sindh government is set to take over the Green Line bus service in December 2024. In a recent meeting, Sharjeel highlighted the importance of this project for Karachi’s transport system, expressing hope that the link to the Orange Line will be ready before the handover. With a Rs2 billion subsidy from the federal government for Green Line operations, the Sindh government aims to enhance transport services further after the transfer.
