Late Bus Shipments Affect New Metro Routes in Islamabad

Jawad

22 Feb 2024

300

Late Bus Shipments Affect New Metro Routes in Islamabad

The arrival of the first batch of 30 electric buses from China, out of a total of 160, has been postponed due to the unavailability of shipping vessels.

Initially, the buses were expected to be shipped from China on a special vessel in the coming days. However, the delivery has been delayed due to the vessel's unavailability.

An official informed a local media outlet that they are in contact with Chinese authorities and are working to load the buses onto a vessel on Thursday.

The official stated that the first batch of 30 electric buses is expected to reach the Karachi port within the next three weeks. Subsequently, they will be transported to Islamabad, with two more batches arriving in the following two months.

The contract for manufacturing the electric buses was awarded to an international firm, and the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) will operate these buses on 13 routes across the federal capital.

Previously, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the NRTC had signed an agreement. Under this agreement, the civic authority will pay the NRTC approximately Rs. 306 to Rs. 331 per kilometer to operate the buses.

The 13 routes include:

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