By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched an electric vehicle bus service pilot project in Lahore to eliminate environmental pollution, noise and reduce fare.
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Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz also inspected the ride in the electric bus on the occasion of the inauguration of the pilot project. Provincial Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar gave a detailed briefing about the EV bus. The electric bus has GPS location recorder, Wi-Fi, UPS port and other facilities. The electric bus will have 30 seats and a capacity of 80 passengers. The electric bus will have a ramp and seats reserved for special people. For the first time, an anti-slip sheet has been used on the floor for the safety of the bus passengers. Nine dedicated charging stations have been established for the fully electric bus, which will be able to cover a distance of 250 kilometers. The bus will also have a route display for the convenience of the passengers. The electric bus will have a separate per mile section for women. Cameras will also be installed to prevent incidents of harassment. 27 electric buses will be operated on the longest route of 21 kilometers. E-bus service will start from Railway Station to Green Town via Queens Road, Mazang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge and Achhra Nehr. 17,000 passengers will be able to travel daily on Lahore’s first e-bus service. The Railway Station to Green Town route. The EV bus service will be formally launched in mid-February. 42 state-of-the-art bus shelters will be established on the Railway Station to Green Town route. A bus will come after every 9 minutes. A special app will also be introduced for electric buses, making bus tracking possible. Electric bus fare can be paid through digital wallets and digital cards. Universal transport cards will also be issued. Special training for 70 drivers for electric buses has begun. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed to review the installation of solar fans and water coolers at bus stands. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered to install Safe City cameras at every bus stand. E-taxi project discussed in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Also reviewed: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s instructions to review the assembling of e-taxi in Punjab. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s instructions to take steps to establish electric charging stations in private partnership.
