Punjab takes electric bus network beyond cities to smaller towns, tehsils

• Modern e-bus service launched on 13 routes across six districts as public welcomes green transport drive

• CM Maryam Nawaz vows safe, eco-friendly public transport will reach every town and village across Punjab

• Another 14 districts to receive electric buses by end of July; 488 more vehicles due by August

 LAHORE: The Punjab government has accelerated the expansion of its electric bus network from district headquarters to smaller towns and tehsils, with the initiative receiving a warm public response as modern, environmentally friendly public transport services continue to reach more communities across the province.

Electric bus services have now been launched on 13 routes across the districts of Khanewal, Khushab, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad. A total of 15 state-of-the-art electric buses have been deployed in Khushab, while nine buses each have become operational in Khanewal, Bhakkar, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad.

In Khushab, electric buses are operating on routes from the General Bus Stand to Girot Chowk, Mitha Tiwana and Mangowal. In Khanewal, commuters have shown an enthusiastic response to services running on the Khanewal–Jahanian and Kabirwala routes.

In Bhakkar, nine electric buses are now operating on routes linking the General Bus Stand with Darya Khan and Behal. In Attock, the buses are serving the POF Sanjwal–Hazro and Hakimabad–Attock Khurd routes.

In Mandi Bahauddin, electric buses have commenced operations on the Kathiala Sheikhan–Rasul Village and College Chowk–Manoo Chak routes, while in Hafizabad, nine buses are now serving the Jinnah Chowk (Inter-City) and Ghora Chowk–Jalalpur Bhattian routes.

The Punjab government plans to expand the electric bus network to 14 additional districts by the end of July 2026. Ten electric buses each will begin operations in Chiniot, Layyah, Okara and Sialkot, while Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan will each receive 12 buses. Murree, Gujrat and Sheikhupura will each receive 11 buses during the month, while Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib and Narowal will also receive 11 electric buses each by the end of July.

An additional 488 electric buses are expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of August 2026 and will subsequently become operational in various districts across Punjab.

The provincial government has allocated billions of rupees under the Annual Development Programme for the development of modern transport infrastructure. At present, 400 electric buses are successfully operating across 18 districts of Punjab, while work is progressing rapidly on the landmark initiative to induct 1,500 modern electric buses into the province's public transport fleet. In addition, another 212 electric buses for 20 more districts have already arrived in Pakistan.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the government's vision was not confined to major cities, adding that safe, modern and environmentally friendly electric bus services would eventually be extended to every town and village across Punjab.