Alongside the Metro Bus service in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, which started back in 2015, another bus service was planned by the Capital Development Authority to improve the public transport system in the twin cities. However, due to the lack of funds and interest, the project has been suspended.
It should be mentioned that CDA invited Expression of interest (EOI) from private operators for the operation, management and maintenance of buses for the Islamabad Bus Service (IBS) project last year.
After putting up the advertisement, four private companies pitched in their proposals to start-up a safe and efficient bus service for the citizens in the capital.
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Plan Abandoned
With a population of around 2.1 million, around 700,000 trips are taken in Islamabad every day, with an addition of 500,000 trips daily to the neighboring cities. Due to this, the traffic in the twin cities has been getting a lot more congested with every passing day.
To solve this issue, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) identified 6 routes where the buses from the new Islamabad bus station could operate.
- Rawat to Faisal Masjid via the Islamabad Expressway
- Bara Kahu to Margalla Road via Seventh Avenue
- Pir Wadhai Chowk to IJP Metro Station via IJP Road
- Nilore to Khanna Bridge via the Islamabad Highway
- Tramri Chowk (Lahtrar Road) to Aabpara via Park Road
- Golra Chowk to Chaman Metro Station via the Kashmir Highway.
However, the project now lies suspended ever since the Islamabad High Court removed Sheikh Anser Aziz from his position as CDA Chairman in December 2017. No progress on the project has been made after his removal.
CDA states that the reason behind the delay is due to the lack of funds. In fact, officials from CDA recently asked Prime Minister Abbasi to grant around Rs 10 billion in order to wrap up the third phase of the signal-free route built on the Islamabad Expressway.
For now, work on the project has been halted. It has already been eight months, and there is still no sign that the project will be completed in the near future.
Via: Tribune
Off the topic, anyone has any news of Abdul Wahab @ Karachi ?? He was promptly regular and now has completely disappeared these days,,,
yeah he just disappeared logon ne tangg jo kar k rakh dia tha uss ko
Missing him @AbdulWahab
I wish, UNDP also visit Karachi someday to evaluate bus routes for 20 million populations :)
Any update now on this project? Any authentic update when these buses will be operational on Rawat to Secretariat route?