In the mid of August, we heard the news that 80 new Green Line buses had started moving towards the Karachi port. As per the latest update, 40 buses are finally here, and the remaining 40 will be here by the end of October. The commercial operation of the Green Line project will start by the end of November.
The good news has been brought to us by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar. Have a look.
مبارک ہو کراچی. اس شہر کے پہلے جدید ٹرانسپورٹ نظام گرین لائن کے لئے 40 بسوں کی پہلی کھیپ کراچی پورٹ پہنچ گئی. انشاءاللہ 40 مزید بسیں اکتوبر کے آخر تک پہنچ جائیں گی. گرین لائن کا ٹیسٹ رن اکتوبر کے آخر تک اور کمرشل آپریشن نومبر کے آخر تک متوقع. pic.twitter.com/kQlccfvHu6
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) September 19, 2021
Green Line Project
To recap, the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was initiated by the former government of Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif performed the groundbreaking ceremony in 2016. The project went back and forth for a few years due to bureaucratic and operational delays. The new government has completely taken over and finally made some progress.
A Spanish firm, Grupsa, is lending its technical support and services for the project. The main objectives of the Green Line BRT project are to:
- Provide reliable, safe, affordable, high quality and fast BRT Bus Service
- Improve the quality of life of commuters in Karachi
- To vastly improve the quality of public transport system in Karachi
- Provide an efficient infrastructure for local buses
- Reduce travel time.
The proposed route for the Green Line extends from Surjani Town to Jama Cloth Market, covering 21 stations in total. The Green Line road corridor extends along M.A Jinnah Road towards Gurumandir. It runs northward along Business Recorder Road, Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road, Shahrah-e-Shershah Suri and Shahrah-e-Usman, passing by some major landmarks such as Numaish, Board Office, and Nagan Chowrangi.
The buses will transform the public transport in Karachi and make lives easier for the common people. Hopefully, we’ll see all the buses on the Karachi roads soon! If you are in the city, do travel on the Green Line buses and share your experience.
