Punjab to Get 240 E-Buses Across 24 Districts as CM Maryam Nawaz Prioritizes Rural Connectivity

Lahore – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the provision of 240 electric buses to 24 districts across the province as a priority initiative aimed at improving public transport access, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas.

The decision was made during a special meeting chaired by CM Maryam Nawaz to review the progress of transport projects. Officials from the Transport Department gave a detailed briefing on the ongoing electric bus project and other initiatives.

Maryam Nawaz emphasised the need to break the long-standing trend of prioritising only major cities. “We must shift the culture of giving every new facility to big cities first. Rural and remote districts must be treated equally,” she said.

She directed that the southern Punjab districts be given greater preference in the initial distribution of e-buses to ensure inclusive development.

In the first phase, 240 e-buses will be distributed among 24 selected districts. Following that, an additional 500 e-buses will be delivered to Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi between August and October, with another 600 buses expected between November and December.

Under the Punjab Clean Air Program, 400 e-buses will also be allocated to Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, and Kasur.

The meeting also reviewed the Gujranwala Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which includes a 22-kilometre corridor from Rahwali to Eminabad with 28 stations. To extend service across the city and surrounding areas, 80 feeder buses will be introduced. A proposal to extend the BRT system to Ghakhar Mandi is also under consideration.

The CM instructed authorities to implement smart traffic management solutions along the BRT route and to establish four e-bus depots in Gujranwala.

Progress on Faisalabad’s Orange Line and Red Line was also reviewed. The Red Line will span 23.4 km with 24 stations, expected to serve over 185,000 passengers daily. The Orange Line will cover 29 km with 21 stations, accommodating more than 111,000 daily commuters.

On CM Maryam’s instructions, the route from FIEDMC to Salam Chowk has been included in the plan.

Maryam Nawaz emphasised that all transport routes should be planned with public mobility needs in mind. “Every district matters equally. We aim to ensure equal development opportunities and transport services throughout the province,” she said.