ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has officially increased the fares of electric buses operating in Islamabad, with the revised rates taking effect from Sunday.
According to sources, fares on the Orange, Green, and Blue Line electric buses have been raised from Rs50 to Rs100. The decision, driven by administrative and financial considerations, impacts approximately 100,000 daily commuters.
Interestingly, the fare of the Red Metro buses that run from Saddar (Rawalpindi) to Secretariat (Islamabad) remains the same, at Rs 30, while commuters of the Orange and Electric buses have been targeted for a 100 percent increase in fares.
Meanwhile, to minimize public anger, the CDA has floated news claiming that it was developing a concession policy aimed at various commuter groups, including office workers, students, and senior citizens.
The upcoming policy will offer discounted travel packages based on daily, weekly, fortnightly, and monthly usage, as well as for those using bus cards.
Sources confirmed that work on these concessional packages is underway, and an official notification will be issued soon. The new Rs100 fare will be subject to discounts under these upcoming packages.
Meanwhile, CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa has instructed the relevant departments to ensure that all information related to the electric bus network—such as routes, schedules, and arrival/departure times—is made accessible on Google Maps. The initiative is intended to help residents plan their commutes more efficiently.
