In a significant development poised to transform Islamabad’s public transportation landscape, the eagerly awaited arrival of 30 electric buses from China has encountered a delay due to unforeseen logistical challenges.
Initial plans slated the departure of the inaugural batch of 30 electric buses from China via a dedicated shipping vessel in the coming days. However, the shipping schedule disrupted owing to vessel unavailability, as disclosed by reliable sources familiar with the matter.
Assurances extended by an official liaison with Chinese authorities, indicating proactive measures to expedite the loading process onto an alternative vessel, with operations set for Thursday.
Despite this setback, optimism remains high as officials project the imminent arrival of the first installment of electric buses at Karachi port within the subsequent three weeks. Upon arrival, these eco-friendly vehicles slated for deployment in Islamabad, with subsequent batches to follow suit over the ensuing two months.
The National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) entrusted an esteemed international firm with manufacturing. This led to the procurement of these state-of-the-art electric buses.
Under the purview of an established agreement between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and NRTC, operational parameters defined. The NRTC will oversee the deployment of these electric buses across 13 designated routes within the federal capital.
These routes encompass strategic transit corridors such as:
- Police Foundation/Orange Line Station to Old Metro Bus Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station (I-8)
- Allama Iqbal Station to Old Metro Bus Potohar Station
- PIMS to Secretariat
- D-12 to G-10
- F-11 to Old Metro F-8 Station
- G-11 to PIMS
- Aabpara to Taramri Chowk
- Nilor to Khanna Pul
- Pirwadhai Chowk to Faizabad
- B-17 to Chungi Number 26
- I-16 to Chungi Number 26
This initiative signals Islamabad’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility. Electric buses are eagerly anticipated for their integration into the capital’s transportation network, promising cleaner, more efficient mobility.
