ISLAMABAD: Islamabad’s electric bus service has crossed a significant ridership milestone of 100,000 passengers. Officials said this surge has prompted the Capital Development Authority to accelerate its expansion plans. The authority has requested the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation to supply 600 new electric buses. This request aims to meet the rapidly increasing commuter demand across the federal capital.
Moreover, CDA officials confirmed that they plan to enhance the frequency of buses on all active routes. They believe the larger fleet will improve accessibility and reduce waiting times for daily commuters. The expansion plan reflects the city’s growing reliance on efficient and environmentally friendly public transport.
Bus Frequency to Improve on All Routes
CDA said buses on long routes currently operate every 30 to 45 minutes. However, the authority intends to reduce this interval to 15 minutes. This change aims to ensure smoother services during peak hours. On shorter city routes, buses presently run every 15 minutes. CDA plans to decrease this gap to 10 minutes to accommodate increasing ridership.
Furthermore, officials stated that the rising number of passengers has created pressure on the existing fleet. They said uninterrupted and timely service remains the prime objective of the expansion plan. NRTC will now seek approval from the concerned ministry for the procurement process.
Service Grows Beyond Initial Plans
CDA originally planned to operate electric buses on 13 routes across Islamabad. However, rising passenger demand encouraged the authority to extend the service to 18 routes. This expansion demonstrates strong public confidence in the system.
Additionally, the CDA pays NRTC through a per-kilometer payment structure. This arrangement supports sustainable operations and long-term planning. Officials noted that the electric bus service has become central to Islamabad’s green mobility strategy.
A Rapidly Growing Transport Initiative
Islamabad launched the electric bus service in December last year. Since then, the service has expanded rapidly across the capital. Authorities expect ridership to grow further as new buses join the fleet. The CDA aims to build a modern, reliable, and eco-friendly transport network for the city.
