1st Batch of 30 Electric Buses out 0f Total 150 Ready to Dispatch from China

ISLAMABAD: In the next three weeks, the first batch of thirty of the total 150 electric buses that will be used in Islamabad will be shipped from China and arrive in Karachi. According to sources, the buses will arrive in the city in May following customs clearance. According to a Chinese source, the buses were placed onto a ship that was scheduled to depart on Sunday but had to postpone its departure by one day because of a storm.

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Since the Convention Centre has a bus charging station, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), together with its contractor National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), would temporarily launch the bus service from there once the buses arrive. In this connection, a proper depot will be established.

 Sources stated that the last batch of 50 buses was scheduled to leave China on May 5 and that the second batch of 70 buses was expected to be shipped out in two weeks. Thirteen new routes will be served by all 150 buses. The first thirty buses, according to the sources, would run on two routes that CDA Chairman Anwarul   Haq will determine in the coming days. 
According to an official, 150 buses would run on 13 new routes in Islamabad.

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According to the sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was scheduled to launch the bus service. The NRTC had purchased the buses. 
By the terms of their agreement, the CDA would pay the NRTC between Rs306 and Rs331 per kilometre to operate the buses. 
Aabpara to Tramri Chowk, Nilor to Khanna Pul, Pirwadhai Chowk to Faizabad, B-17 to 26 Number Chungi, and I-16 to 26 Number are among the 13 routes. These include Police Foundation/Orange Line Station to Red Line Faiz Ahmed Faiz Station in I-8; Allama Iqbal Station to Red Line Potohar Station; Pims to Secretariat; D-12 to G-10; F-11 to Red Line F-8 Station; G-11 to Pims; and G-11 to Pims.