LAHORE, PAKISTAN – In a major stride toward sustainable urban mobility and environmental protection, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has officially expanded the province’s eco-friendly public transit network. Digitally inaugurating the latest phase of the mega-project, the Chief Minister launched the Green Electric Bus Service in five additional districts, marking a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s shift toward green energy and clean transportation.
The newly included regions are Layyah, Okara, Sialkot, Chiniot, and Murree, giving thousands of local commuters access to a modern, zero-emission mass transit system.
A Rs. 200 Billion Green Fleet Expansion
According to official reports, this expansion is part of an ambitious Rs. 200 billion public transport initiative, the largest mega-project of its kind in the province’s history.
The launch initially deploys 51 high-tech electric buses operating across 10 distinct routes within the five newly designated districts. This comes on the heels of the Punjab government’s aggressive EV push. Previous reports of Punjab’s plans to overhaul urban transit via electric vehicles, and this rollout proves that the provincial administration is turning those policies into reality on the ground.
District-Wise Fleet Deployment and Routes
During the project briefing, Transport Minister Bilal Akbar outlined exactly how the 51 e-buses will operate across the newly added locations to ensure maximum public convenience:
- Layyah: Operating from the General Bus Stand to Paharpur and the Tehsil Hospital.
- Chiniot: 10 buses connecting Tehsil Chowk to Bhowana and Lalian.
- Okara: Routes stretching from Sahiwal Bypass to KFC Bypass, and the General Bus Stand to Shergarh via Akhtarabad.
- Sialkot: Connecting the General Bus Stand to Daska and Pasrur (commencing with an initial 10-bus phase, expanding to a full fleet of 45).
- Murree: Navigating the challenging, hilly terrain from the General Bus Stand to Kotli Sattian and 17-Mile.
The inclusion of Murree is particularly historic, marking the first time the scenic tourist destination has received a dedicated, zero-emission public transport fleet to combat rising ecological and traffic concerns.
The Roadmap: 5,000 Electric Buses in 5 Years
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz laid out a clear, aggressive timeline for the project’s provincial scale-up:
- By August 15, 2026: 1,100 electric buses will arrive in Punjab and become operational before the end of August.
- Current Fiscal Year: Another 1,500 buses will be added, pushing the active provincial fleet to nearly 3,000 within the next three years.
- Long-Term Goal: The government aims to reach a milestone of 5,000 electric buses within five years, effectively expanding the network to every single tehsil in Punjab.
This expansion aligns closely with other consumer-focused green initiatives across the province, including an earlier free electric bikes initiative by Punjab’s government for students to minimize urban dependency on fossil fuels.
Next Stop: 9 More Districts by End of July
Commuters in other parts of the province won’t have to wait long. The Chief Minister confirmed that an additional 101 electric buses will hit the roads by the end of July, targeting nine more key districts: Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Multan, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal.
Currently, over 500 electric buses are already operational across 24 districts, with the active weekly passenger base exceeding 300,000 and growing rapidly.
Free Transit for Vulnerable Citizens
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project is heavily subsidized to provide economic relief to the public during peak summer months. It is announced that women, students, and senior citizens can travel absolutely free of charge on these air-conditioned electric buses.
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