The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad has decided to launch an Express Bus Service.
Sources reported that the Express Bus Service will be a non-subsidized service covering longer routes. The routes will be linked to all existing or planned bus terminals in order to synchronise intra-city routes with inter-city routes and increase ridership.
Moreover, the express bus service will serve as a standard service for residents who can manage the more expensive fares. This bus service will transport citizens from one end of the city to the other in less time and with fewer stops to save time.
The service will initially operate on two different routes. One route will run from T-Chowk in Rawat to Faisal Mosque, while the other will run from the Islamabad-Murree Motorway toll plaza to PIMS. Routes from Sangjani and other points will be determined later.
According to CDA officials, the bus will operate in the city as part of a private-public partnership. The service will be operated by private companies, with CDA facilitating it. They said that the express bus service is moving quickly and will be operational within two months.
Earlier, the authority has begun a shuttle bus service between Islamabad and Murree at subsidised rates, which may attract an audit objection in the future.
The CDA has contracted M/S Faisal Movers to operate the subsidised bus service between Bhara Kahu, Islamabad and Lower Topa, Murree.
Approximately eight buses operate on this route daily with an interval of one and a half hours this week, with the service being limited to weekends only beginning next week.
Furthermore, the bus operators charge Rs.250 per passenger from the CDA out of which Rs.100 is collected from the passengers while the rest of the burden is borne by the civic authority as a subsidy from its own resources.