30 new hybrid, 50 electric buses hit Karachi roads

KARACHI: Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar on Wednesday added another 80 buses to the Peoples Bus Service fleet in a simple ceremony.

The new buses include 30 hybrid and 50 electric vehicles. With the addition of 80 new buses, the city's fleet now comprises 300 buses, including 18 Pink Buses.

This he said while speaking at the inauguration ceremony at Mazar-e-Quiad. Those who were present on the occasion were Minister Home Brig (r) Haris Nawaz, Minister Education Dr Rana Hussain, Minister Information Ahmad Shah,  

According to the Chief Minister, as of mid-2015, there were 3.6 million registered vehicles in Karachi, which is over 30 per cent of the national total. Private vehicles, mainly motorcycles and cars, make up about 84 per cent of the total number of registered vehicles. 

Mr. Baqar further added that the growth rate for private vehicles is over four per cent, which means that there are now over 1,000 new vehicles being added to the streets of Karachi each day.

The Caretaker CM said that Karachi has acute commercial Transportation woes and clean transportation was aligned with the policies of the government. He acknowledged that the proposal has been negotiated with sound terms and due diligence. 

Justice Baqar has directed the transport dept that a robust contractual framework may be worked out with TIP to ensure maximum performance for public benefit. He emphasised that the key performance indicators (KPIs) should ensure proper maintenance of buses throughout the eight years of the buyback period, so handing over of buses at the end of the contract term along with batteries to be in sound working condition.

The Caretaker cabinet has approved a pilot project comprising 50 environment-friendly pure electric buses to fulfil the previous commitments to formalise the contractual arrangements.

Earlier, the CM cut the ribbon to inaugurate 30 hybrid and 50 Electric buses and then had a ride/tour on one of the launched fleet of buses. 

Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab and NRTC head Sohaib Shafique also spoke on the occasion.