Punjab to Roll Out Cheap Electric Buses in Six Cities

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is preparing to roll out a fleet of electric buses in six districts as part of a province-wide shift toward environmentally friendly public transportation.

Districts Included in First Phase

According to the Punjab Transport Company, the first phase of the electric bus initiative will cover the following six districts:

• Mianwali
• Sargodha
• Muzaffargarh
• Wazirabad
• Faisalabad
• Pakpattan

The selection of these districts is based on population density, current public transport needs, and air quality concerns.

Sargodha to Lead with 48 Electric Buses

Among the six districts, Sargodha will receive the largest allocation, with 48 electric buses designated for use across the district. Each tehsil within Sargodha will operate approximately 8 to 9 buses, ensuring widespread coverage and ease of access for residents in both urban and semi-urban areas.

Officials stated that operations in Sargodha are expected to begin soon, pending final route testing and infrastructure readiness. Charging stations and maintenance depots are reportedly under development to support uninterrupted operations.

A Step Toward Sustainable Public Transport

This initiative is a core component of the government’s broader “Electro” green mobility program, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower fuel dependency, and improve urban air quality. The introduction of electric buses is seen as a long-term solution to modernize Punjab’s aging public transport fleet while aligning with global climate goals.

Each bus is expected to offer:

• Zero tailpipe emissions
• Lower operational costs
• Improved passenger comfort
• Reduced noise pollution

Infrastructure and Future Expansion

To support the launch, the Punjab Transport Company is working on setting up dedicated charging infrastructure, route digitization systems, and trained personnel for EV operations.

If successful, the initiative may expand to additional districts in Punjab, creating a province-wide electric public transit system. This would include larger cities such as Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala in subsequent phases.

Officials also hinted at potential integration with feeder routes, ensuring that passengers can connect from local routes to major city centers without switching between multiple modes of transport.