Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Punjab Transport Company headquarters and the Electric Vehicle (EV) Command and Control Centre, directing officials to accelerate the expansion of the province’s electric bus network.
During her visit, the chief minister reviewed facilities, including an automated washing plant that recycles water and a charging station capable of fully charging an electric bus within 105 minutes using Yutong’s 160-kilowatt system.
She instructed authorities to transition the bus charging system to solar power and to identify new routes for green electric buses.
Maryam Nawaz also sought a timeline for the induction of 1,500 additional buses and ordered improved arrangements to address increasing passenger demand, particularly at locations facing long waiting times.
She further directed officials to claim carbon credits under the Green Bus Project.
Praising bus staff for assisting passengers with special needs, the chief minister said electric buses are setting passenger records across Punjab while providing safe and comfortable travel, especially for women and children.
She added that the metro bus projects in Faisalabad and Gujranwala should be launched at the earliest.
Punjab Transport Company CEO Kausar Khan said more than 15.5 million passengers have used electric buses so far, including 3.8 million women, 1.5 million students, 750,000 senior citizens, and 300,000 persons with disabilities benefiting from free travel.
The transport company has also launched tuck shops at e-bus stations to provide business opportunities to widows and divorced women, with 10 such facilities already established at Lahore bus stops.
Officials say the electric bus initiative is helping reduce pollution while promoting modern, safe, and environmentally friendly public transport across Punjab.
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