Karachi: Promised 50 CNG buses to be launched by end of June, routes finalized

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Qadeer Tanoli
The City District Government Karachi (CDGK) is all set to launch 50 CNG buses for the general public by the end of this month.

Two reputed international automobile companies have been given the job to manufacture these buses. This is a unique pilot project directly financed by the CDGK to provide an environment-friendly and comfortable means of transportation to the citizens.

The CDGK had earlier planned to introduce these buses in April this year and for this purpose, the finance department of the City Government was asked to collect the required amount from a different account for buying these buses. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, this could not happen.

The CDGK also plans to introduce the e-ticketing facility for these buses next month, The News has learnt. The booths for getting e-tickets will be established at each bus stop. In fact, the CDGK is also considering establishing booths in each and every CNG bus.

Magnetic cards of different values for e-ticketing will be introduced as well. The cost of these cards will be around Rs50, borne by the CDGK. These cards will be recharged at different outlets at the booths. A copy of the Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) would be essential for obtaining such cards. In case of theft or loss, it will be blocked and reissued after submitting a nominal fee.

The District Officer, Public Transport Management Operation and Regulation, Muhammad Athar told The News that these CNG buses will be owned by the CDGK. However, he said, the operation of these buses will be outsourced. Likewise, he said, the e-ticketing process will also be outsourced. “Rs10 will be charged for travelling up to 10km and Rs15 for destinations further than 10km,” he said.

Athar added that all booths will be properly insured and a bank will be given the job to handle the cash and deposit the same to the CDGK after deducting the service charges.

Each bus will have a capacity to carry 80 to 100 passengers. Athar said that a separate portion would be allocated for female passengers.

He further said that a terminal for these buses will be set up at Surjani Town where maintenance work will be carried out.

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Bus routes finalised



Thursday, June 11, 2009
By our correspondent

Karachi

The CDGK has also finalised the routes for the CNG buses. Route number Green-1 will be from Surjani Town to Merewether Tower and will cover Surjani Town, KDA Stop, 4 K Chowrangi, 2 Minute Chowrangi, Salim Centre, UP Mor, Nagan Chowrangi, Sakhi Hassan, Hyderi, Board Office, Petrol Pump, Lasbella, M.A. Jinnah Road and Merewether Tower. This route will have 32 bus stops, will be 25km long and a bus on this route will complete its round trip in three hours. After every eight minutes, a bus on this route will be available for the commuters.

Route number Green-2 will commence from Gulistan-e-Jauhar and end at Dockyard. This route will cover Jauhar Mor, Askari IV Apartments, Rashid Minhas Road, Drigh Road Station, Sharae Faisal, PAF Karsaz, Baloch Colony, Nursery, FTC, Lucky Star, Sarwar Shaheed Road, Stretchen Road, Arts Council, Shaheen Complex, I.I. Chundrigar Road and Tower. This route will have 37 bus stops and its length will be 27km. The round trip time on this route will be three hours and 20 minutes.

Route number Green-3 will be from Gulshan-e-Maymar to Liaquatabad number 10. It will be a shuttle service via Gulshan-e-Maymar, Ahsanabad, Super Highway, Al-Asif Square, Water Pump, Aisha Manzil and Karimabad. There will be 15 bus stops and will cover an area of 20km. —QT

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