In a major stride toward promoting sustainable urban transportation, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi officially launched a new fleet of electric buses in Islamabad on Friday. This event also marked the opening of a dedicated depot and state-of-the-art charging station, underscoring the capital’s commitment to expanding its environmentally friendly public transport network. The addition of these buses has increased the total number of electric vehicles serving the city to 160, operating across 21 different routes.
Following the inauguration ceremony, Minister Naqvi conducted a thorough inspection of the newly constructed facilities. Accompanied by senior officials, he boarded one of the electric buses to experience the service firsthand. During this ride, he received detailed briefings on various aspects of the operation, including fleet management, depot logistics, and the advanced charging infrastructure that supports the system’s efficiency and reliability.
Highlighting the project’s successful and timely completion, Naqvi commended the dedicated team behind the initiative. He revealed that the electric bus service currently caters to approximately 125,000 passengers every day, with ambitious plans in place to double this number to 250,000 in the near future. A special emphasis has been placed on making the service accessible for students, ensuring that major routes are well-connected to educational institutions across the city.
In addition to the current expansion, the minister announced that the electric bus network will soon extend its reach to Rawat. This extension aims to further integrate the electric bus system with the existing Metro Bus service, providing a seamless transit experience and helping to reduce traffic congestion in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Naqvi also confirmed that efforts are underway to restore the local rail service between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which will complement the electric bus network and enhance overall connectivity.
Another significant development shared during the event was the progress made by HIT Pakistan in preparing to commence local manufacturing of electric buses. This move is expected to boost domestic production capabilities and reduce reliance on imports, aligning with broader national goals of industrial growth and technological advancement.
The newly inaugurated depot is equipped to handle 64 charging units, with 50 already operational and plans to install the remaining 14 shortly. Each charging station is capable of powering two buses within a span of two hours, ensuring quick turnaround times and continuous service availability. The entire charging and fleet management system has been integrated with Google’s real-time monitoring and navigation technology, allowing for efficient tracking and operational oversight.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, and other senior officers. Their presence highlighted the importance of this project as a key component of Islamabad’s urban development and environmental sustainability strategy.
