City gets 200 imported buses

[Salman]

City gets 200 imported buses

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that provision of quality, comfortable and rapid transport facilities to the masses is the mission of the government.

In this regard as many as 200 of the total 350 imported buses have reached the City while the rest were on the way from Karachi. He disclosed that besides introducing bus rapid transit system of international standard in the province, a project of plying air-conditioned CNG public transport in Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Sialkot has also been prepared.

The CM said that while presiding over an important meeting with regard to modernizing the public transport system in the province here Tuesday. Chairman LTC Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Chairman Bus Rapid Transit System Mehar Ishtiaq, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretaries of Transport and Finance departments, Divisional Commissioners, DG LDA, DCO Lahore, officers of NESPAK and other concerned departments also attended the meeting. The meeting took important decisions of launching the air-conditioned bus service and establishing Bus Rapid Transit Authority.

Addressing the meeting, the CM said that 350 modern buses have been imported for this purpose, out of which 200 buses have arrived in Lahore whereas 150 buses are under clearance process in Karachi. Shahbaz Sharif directed that new routes should be identified for the convenience of the people in Lahore. Similarly, launching of bus service up to Wagah border should also be considered, he added. He expressed the hope that due to availability of quality and comfortable public transport, people would be inspired to recreation during their spare timings. He directed that the smooth flow of traffic be ensured in big cities. He said that DCOs will take special steps for regulating traffic in cities through traffic wardens. The CM directed that a parking company be set up for saving the people from parking mafia and providing them quality parking facilities. He said that this company should be set up under the administrative control of City District Government Lahore would be responsible for safe and suitable arrangements of parking at various places for the convenience of vehicle’s owners.

The CM said that Bus Rapid Transit Authority would be set up for running Metro Bus Service for which necessary legislation will be made. He said that special arrangements would be made for the disabled and senior citizens in these environment friendly buses, they will reach their destination without delay. He said that besides modern system of electronic ticketing for Metro Bus Service, training will also be imparted to the staff. He said that Metro Bus Service would be available after every two minutes and modern design bus stop would be constructed for the convenience of commuters.