Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz reiterated her commitment to improving public transport across the province, stating that she is “not just the chief minister of Lahore but of all Punjab.” She made the remarks while chairing a special meeting of the Transport Department in Lahore.
The meeting approved a project to deploy 1,500 electric buses across Punjab’s major cities. The buses will be introduced in phases, with 380 units to be purchased immediately as part of the first phase. These will begin operating in Lahore and Gujranwala.
In the following phases, the electric bus service will expand to Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Rahim Yar Khan, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Officials also confirmed that Faisalabad will see the introduction of orange and red line buses.
Chief Minister Maryam also directed the department to prepare a plan for installing charging stations to support the electric fleet. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on traditional fuel-based transport while improving accessibility for residents outside Lahore.
Additionally, the chief minister approved the establishment of a centralized Transport Tower and Command and Control Center in Lahore. The facility will coordinate and monitor the electric bus network once it becomes operational.
The project is seen as a step toward modernizing Punjab’s public transportation, particularly in underserved areas. While no fixed timeline was shared, the phased approach is aimed at gradual but wide-scale implementation. The move also comes as part of broader efforts to reduce environmental impact and address disparities in transport services between urban and more remote districts.
