Rawalpindi Electric Bus Service Launch Date Revealed

Rawalpindi’s district administration will launch the first phase of its electric bus service next week, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expected to inaugurate the project. Officials said the initial rollout covers 10 routes in the garrison city.

A senior administration official said 80 electric buses will operate across the network. He confirmed that 45 buses, which arrived last month, are ready for deployment in the first phase. The remaining 35 buses will be added after charging stations on Peshawar Road are completed by the end of December.

The inauguration was originally planned for October 15 but was postponed due to the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan protest in Islamabad. Preparations are now underway, including a temporary charging facility set up at the old GTS bus stand on Adamjee Road.

The official said the buses are currently parked at the GTS bus stand and the Metro Bus Command and Control Centre on Haider Road. Recruitment of staff and route planning have already been completed.

RTA Secretary Asad Shirazi said driver training has been finalised and operations will begin next week. He added that due to ongoing construction at Kutchery Chowk, buses will temporarily skip the stop and use alternative routes until the area reopens.