In a latest development, the Punjab Metro Bus Authority (PMA) has decided to launch 200 brand new public buses this week on feeder routes of Lahore. It is pertinent to mention that these new buses will be introduced in partnership with Daewoo Pakistan.
Syed Uzair Shah, the General Manager Operations of PMA, has reportedly stated that all the necessary arrangements to launch the bus service and to initiate the service on 14 routes of the Lahore Metro Bus have been finalized. However, the company is currently looking for an appointment from the office of Chief Minister to make final call on the when & how of the inauguration of the the services of public transport project.
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At the outset, the new buses will be functional on 14 different feeder routes as it will cover a total distance of 123 kilometers. As far as the future plan is concerned, more buses will be added in another phase as soon as Orange Line Metro Train in Lahore becomes operational.
The official documents exhibit that these buses will be equipped with automated fare collection and bus scheduling system (AFC-BSS). Moreover, these buses will also have the facility of GPS tracking devices.
What Caused The Delay In Launching The New Buses?
The project of launching new buses in Lahore is getting delayed for the past nine months for different reasons. Primarily, it got late because of extensive processes and administrative obstacles. Moreover, the process also got late since there was some misunderstanding and lack of communication between the authority PMA and the operator i.e. Daewoo Pakistan.
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Imported new buses have been standing idle for the past couple of months as there was some blockage from the authorities especially on the decision of the execution of television (CCTV) cameras on the feeder routes of Lahore. However, it has now been decided that the PMA will fix the CCTV cameras itself via its vendors.
The spokesperson for Daewoo Pakistan, Naeemullah shared that the company had already finished the drivers’ route training but they have been waiting for the go ahead from the PMA.
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