ISLAMABAD: In response to the escalating prices of petroleum products, city authorities in Islamabad are considering raising the fares for metro buses, a move that could further burden citizens already grappling with record inflation and increased utility bills.
The Capital Development Authority (CDA), which operates three metro bus services – Orange, Green, and Blue Lines, is contemplating fare hikes.
However, a final decision is pending approval during an upcoming board meeting. Proposals include increasing fares for the Blue and Green Lines from the current Rs. 30 to Rs. 60 and for the Orange Line from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100.
A board member confirmed the proposal’s consideration, citing the CDA’s need to subsidize the bus services and the necessity of fare adjustments for their sustainability.
Additionally, the CDA is exploring revenue generation through commercial parking lots and kiosks at bus stops.
The three metro lines, the Orange Line running from Peshawar Mor to Islamabad International Airport, the Blue Line along the Islamabad Expressway from Koral to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), and the Green Line operating between Bhara Kahu and Pims, have been well-received by commuters, as they represent the primary government-owned bus service in the city.
The CDA is also finalizing arrangements to introduce 160 buses on 13 new routes through its official contractor, the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC).
Of these, 30 electric buses are expected to arrive in the capital within two months, with the remaining 130 to follow by year-end.
These buses, part of the agreement with the NRTC, will cost the CDA between Rs. 306 to Rs. 331 for every kilometer traveled.
Source: DAWN
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How is the review of Metro Bus fares in Islamabad being conducted in response to rising fuel costs, and what changes are expected?
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