Lahore Welcomes First Solar-Powered Trackless Metro

Lahore: In a groundbreaking development for public transportation, Lahore has become the first city in Pakistan to introduce a trackless, ticketless, and solar-powered metro system, marking a significant leap toward smart and sustainable urban mobility.

The new system, known as the Super Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (SRT), is being tested near Lahore Airport as part of a pilot project. The initiative was officially launched at a ceremony attended by government officials from both Pakistan and China, highlighting the collaborative efforts behind the project.

Unlike traditional metro systems that require complex and expensive rail networks, the SRT runs directly on city roads using Virtual Track Technology. This innovative system relies on advanced sensors, GPS, and digital mapping to guide the fully electric vehicle along a designated route—eliminating the need for physical tracks or conductors.

Often described as a “subway on wheels,” the SRT combines the capacity and efficiency of a metro with the flexibility of road transport. The vehicle is battery-powered and solar-assisted, ensuring minimal environmental impact and zero on-road emissions.

One of the most attractive features of the SRT system is its cost-efficiency. Since it does not require the construction of underground tunnels or elevated railways, it significantly reduces infrastructure costs while still offering high-capacity, rapid transit—ideal for cities facing financial or logistical constraints.

Officials suggest this method could represent the future of public transport in Pakistan, especially in big cities that are growing quickly and dealing with pollution and delays in traffic.

The SRT system has been tested and proven on worldwide platforms and is already in use in places like China, Malaysia, the UAE, and Türkiye.