Capital Development Authority (CDA), the office responsible for development projects in the capital, is considering revamping the travel facilities through a bus project.
A high-level meeting of the board members of CDA took place on Tuesday, where it was decided to send the summary of the project to the federal cabinet. Sources report that the project titled “Islamabad Bus Service” now awaits approval from the federal cabinet.
The project will start with 30 buses and will soon be increased. Talking about the routes, the source revealed that the service will start from Swan Interchange to Faisal Masjid, another from Bhara Kahu to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Metro Station on 9th Avenue in sector H-8, and a third route that will start at Tarnol Railway Station to N-5 Metro Bus Station.
Further, there are plans for 64 bus stops and the route will have modern security measures. Tuck shops and public toilet facilities will be set up at each bus stop.
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The buses will be air-conditioned with a seating capacity of 70 persons with priority seats for women and special persons. This decision seems to mirror the metro project set up by Punjab Metropolitan Authority (PMA) in Lahore and Islamabad, which were both a success. The buses will operate between 6:30 am to 9 pm from Monday to Friday b and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 10 pm. However, this may change as per the public needs.
The buses will have separate parking areas that will be constructed on bus routes. However, the filling stations will be open to the public as well. Purchase of buses, building stations, renovation, construction of bus depots, and parking areas will be done by CDA, while the project will be overseen by Metro Command and Control Center. Officials have said that once the project is approved by the federal cabinet, it will be opened for the public by December.
The project was long overdue, and Islamabad’s public transport is in dire need of an upgrade. The project will be regulated by the government and will hopefully provide a comfortable and affordable commute to the citizen of the capital.
