The Sindh government today announced the launch of new electric vehicle (EV) bus routes in Karachi before Eid, with a new service from Gulshan-e-Maymar to Tower scheduled to begin operations next week.
The announcement was made by Sindh Senior Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Inam Memon, following a significant meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department. The department has approved plans to augment the city’s public transport fleet with additional EV buses and more double-decker buses.
In a phased expansion following Eid, the EV bus service will be introduced in other districts across the province. The People’s Bus Service is also set for a significant rollout after Eid in Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Sukkur, Shikarpur, and Khairpur.
Mr. Memon stated that the objective of extending the People”s Bus Service to other urban centres is to furnish a greater number of citizens with modern and dependable transport facilities.
The provincial government also reported substantial progress on a proposed EV taxi service. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for the taxi project are slated to be signed after Eid-ul-Fitr between Sindh Bank, the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), and the Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA).
These decisions were finalised during a departmental meeting chaired by the senior minister, which included Secretary Transport Asad Zamin and SMTA Managing Director Kanwal Nizam Bhutto. The agenda covered enhancements to the province-wide transport system, the establishment of new routes, and challenges related to road infrastructure.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Memon affirmed that the Sindh Government is prioritising road works on all People’s Bus Service routes in Karachi and will coordinate with the relevant ministry to resolve any outstanding issues.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing quality, affordable, and environment-friendly transport options and pledged to continue making strong efforts to complete public welfare projects on a priority basis.