The lack of funds and vehicles has forced the Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) to discontinue an express metro bus service launched last year.
The decision has been criticized by the commuters, stating that the ‘non-stop’ bus service saved at least 20 minutes of their time.
The express metro bus service, connecting Saddar in Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Secretariat in Islamabad, operated with just seven stops. On the other hand, the regular bus service comprising of 24 stops between the two cities takes approximately 50 minutes.
According to the PMA General Manager Operations Uzair Shah, out of a total of 68 vehicles, seven metro buses were designated for the express project. However, despite a positive response initially, the metro express service proved financially unsustainable.
It compelled the PMA to shift back to the regular bus service. “Now, all metro buses between Rawalpindi and Islamabad will stop at all 24 bus stations,” he added.
Shah claimed that the 6th Road bus station will likely become functional on February 3 after the completion of some minor work.
The delay in opening the 6th Road bus station might also be attributed to the divisional administration’s decision to hold a ‘special function’ to inaugurate the station. The function would be attended by the Caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi.
However, according to a senior official in the commissioner’s office, the divisional administration has failed to get dates for the chief minister’s availability in the garrison city.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest automobile news, car launches, bike reviews, videos and analysis wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
Dont worry, we know who build and keep public transit projects running. Let them come. Vote for Lion.
Very true, only they are capable to move the economy on positive direction.
ALLAH tmhain hidayat naseeb karay. Ameen.
InshaAllah.
vot for lion
Vote for Riyysat madina….
Don’t worry, We also know who looted Pakistan, build properties in London and still have no shame to appoint as fourth time prime minister!
Their children get education in abroad and ours in their ruined govt schools!
Vote for ANYONE, but not Lion!!
Withholding public service for vvip inaugral ceremony is a classic example of apathy .Allah forgive us and give us honest rulers. Aamin
Yes, they keep it going by diverting critical funds for education, health, graveyards, etc to their “projects”.
And how has education, health, graveyards been since the last government?
Worst! Last govt cut off major part of the budget for education and health…
Seriously transportation is another part of success for a country but some ppl don’t get it
Ye sub sirf topi drama hy. Jan booj kr kia ja raha hy. Ta k jo bhi party election jetay wo apni bally bally krwa sake. Sab parties wale mile howe hyn
So sad Metro bus Authority peh lanat Express bus service is best option thi woh hi band kardi beghairton ny
Metro Bus is a almost economical service for the residence of twin cities. Express service should be resumed so that time of passengers could be saved. If there are shortage of funds the management must ask to PUNJAB and Federal Govt.
In cash strapped countries like Pakistan, any project conceived to be run on subsidies will eventually fail. This project never made financial sense. We are talking about recovery O&M costs only right now; what about CAPEX and interest payments
Such a discouraging step! While the world is shifting towards Ekectric buses & bullet trains, these foxes are drowning us into the stoneage again !! 👎👎
metro bus service is an asset for general public. whi ever build it was possible because of public funds. A minir of which was spend to build only roads and bus service rest was kept in pockets.
Clapping,what a fabulous joke! Why they are not closed the lahore metro ??Secondly, i just thought get sad for the situation of Pakistan.Allah we dont need now such type of pakistan. Its the to put on the hell of those evils who spoil the country .
The public should be told the operating cost of the service. This will also bring awareness, about why such projects cost to construct and operate. Public always kept in the dark.
Where world is trasnforming to provide facilties to the public we are happy to tease and make public uncomfortable. Metro bus service is one of the fortunate facility for thousands of people travelling daily from pindi to Islamabad clisure of this facility is not absurd. Concern authority must take note of this and plan to restart the service.
One of major issue in traffic roads is the bikers switching the lines. They might be allowed on metro bus tracks with some conditions like nominal entry fee, limited speed, specific line.
Metro bus service provides efficient, comfortable,affordable service to it’s commuters. Considering the financial constrains on govt. It is advisable that buses made in Pakistan must be run on these routes. This will reduce the expenses and promote local manufacturing bus companies. Daewoo and other organizations has built motor ways/ paths of metro buses. More and more routes must be constructed, for which local investments/ manufacturers must be brought to manufacture/ run these routes. Special incentives,like , tax holidays, built and operate facilities etc. must be given to these investors/ manufacturers.
Commuters has to pay the ticket that leaves some profit to operators,otherwise govt can not afford to run these buses.
Govt should focus it self to promote education and health care.
Provide this project any private organization.
There should be many options of public transport in twin city. It is a dire need of the hour in this time of inflation and to reduce pollution.
99 % govt employees in Islamabad are corrupt.
They resulted in failure of any of project which started for public.
This project was started by fools who take loans to apply subsidy. This never made sense, when IK used to say this people would not listen and make fun of him but now people are suffering at and again our treasury is in much more debt then ever before
On tge other hand cda is launching 200 electric buses. Where are the funds for that coming from?
And the express were always sustainable because the express buses were never empty. Anybody who travel frequently in pindi metro will tell you the same. It was the 24 stop bus that was not sustainable due to lack of passengers.
Apart from the logistics of all that it reeks of a political stunt.
Rate of fare msy be increased Rupees 50 instead of Rs 30 which will boost authority to manage economically and stable
This is not the Solution, this is Incompetence of The GM operations, he could have study the public Transport and Express Trains or Bus Service in Few Major Cities of the world
I My self has use this Express Service, these busses were Always Over Crowded from Morning toll 8 PM, he is not telling the truth
The entire Metro is in Loss, due to Insane Loan and Subsided Tickets, in future he will close down the entire Metro Operations,
We need Competent people in Civil Bureaucracy all over the country.
For Express Service Govt Should Introduce Higher Fare Like 50 PKR & Keep That Service Running.
Asalmoalaikum.we want to run the metero 24/7 please .after 10pm metero closed some time people want to but metero is closed and other transport is very costly people can,t afford this.so it’s my request.
Ok
اسلام اباد راولپنڈی ایکسپریس میٹرو بس سروس کے مسافروں نے مطالبہ کیا ہے کہ اس کو بحال کیا جائے کیونکہ اس سے اس ان کے 20 منٹ بچ جاتے ہیں اب مجھے حیرانگی اس بات پہ ہو رہی ہے کہ اتنی فارغ قوم کو 20 منٹ بچانے کا بہت خیال اگیا ہے لیکن جب یہ سکس روڈ والا سٹیشن جلا رہے تھے تو اس وقت ان کو اپنے 20 منٹ کیا 20 گھنٹوں کا بھی خیال نہیں آیا ہوگا
I think its wrong decision everyday many people use this server for there daily treval.this is the most important factor to communicate both cities.this is the one of butter platform for public transportation so please resolve all problem to continue project.Thanks
ہمارے ملک میں ٹیکس دینے کی بات کوئی کرتا نہیں ہے جبکہ سہولتیں مانگنے میں ایک سے بڑھ کے ایک مطالبے ہو رہے ہیں اب اسی مسئلے پہ نیچے پوسٹوں پہ اپ دیکھیں تو ہر کوئی بات کر رہا ہے فیسلٹی کی لیکن کسی دوست نے ٹیکس بڑھانے کی بات نہیں کی
Very bad decision.
Zain Mohsin Islamabad jaiga.
افتتاح ہو چکا ہے دعا بھی پڑھی جا چکی منہ میں ۔
False propaganda against the care taker government.
Metro bus is a wonderful project of our beloved Nawaz Sharif and insha ALLAH will keep running until the end of times.
Saro Khan Nasoor k haamion.
یہ کیسے حکمران ہیں جو عوام کےلئے ( جن سے جھوٹے وعدے کر کے)کرسیوں پر بیٹھ جاتے ہیں، اور انہیں کو کبھی مہنگائی، کبھی ناقابل برداشت بجلی، گیس،پٹرول، اشیاء خوردنی و نوش اور اب میٹرو بس سروس کا ختم کرنا ، اسکے علاوہ طرح طرح کی اذیتیں دیتے ہیں ۔ نہ خدا کا خوف ہے اور نہ ہی عوام کاخیال ۔۔۔
کوئی ایک بھی اس قابل نہیں کہ کہ آنے والے الیکشن میں میں کسی بھی ظالم لٹیرے کو ووٹ دیا جائے ۔۔۔