LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday rejected a proposal to increase the fares for Metro and Speedo bus services by Rs15.
The decision was taken in the 24TH meeting of the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMTA) which was chaired by the chief minister. The meeting was attended by provincial Transport Minister Ibrahim Hassan Murad, secretary transport, secretary finance and high-ranking officials of Punjab Mass Transit Authority.
Giving briefing, secretary transport Punjab told the participants of the meeting that Authority had already achieved target of 100 billion commuters. He also revealed that 25,000 students were availing the govt bus services being run by the Authority free of cost.
A summary was presented during the meeting to increase fares of speedo and metro bus services which was rejected by the caretaker chief minister. He ordered the officers to work out plan for enhancing the revenue through new, innovative and novel means.
The chief minister granted in-principle approval for operation of electric buses from Lahore Railway Station to Green Town. With the support of the World Bank, as a pilot project, 27 electric buses will be run in Lahore. Decision was also taken to the electric bus service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
CM Naqvi also issued directions for construction and repair of metrobus tracks in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Naqvi also approved plans for repair and renovation of Gaddafi Stadium and Shahadara metro stations.
During the meeting, proposal to introduce diesel-hybrid regenerative buses was reviewed. The chief minister issued orders for taking immediate steps to introduce electric bus service.
The caretaker CM also gave approval to solve the deficiency of human resources. He said the government wanted to provide safe and quality travelling facilities to masses and all possible steps were being taken in this regard.