LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the Green Electric Bus Service in five cities across the province, describing it as Pakistan’s largest public transport initiative and announcing an ambitious plan to operate 5,000 electric buses across Punjab over the next five years.
The new electric bus service has been launched in Layyah, Chiniot, Sialkot, Okara, and Murree, marking another phase in the provincial government’s efforts to modernize public transportation while promoting environmentally friendly mobility solutions.
Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in Arifwala, the Chief Minister congratulated residents of the five districts where the service has been introduced and said the project would significantly improve access to safe, comfortable, and affordable public transport.
“This is Pakistan’s largest public transport project. I congratulate the people of the districts where these buses are being launched,” Maryam Nawaz said during her address.
She announced that the provincial government plans to expand the fleet substantially, with 1,500 additional electric buses expected to arrive during the current year.
According to the Chief Minister, the government’s long-term objective is to deploy 5,000 electric buses across Punjab within the next five years, creating an integrated and sustainable public transportation network that serves both urban and semi-urban areas.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the project is aimed at providing modern transportation facilities while reducing environmental pollution through the use of electric vehicles.
She also announced that several categories of passengers would be able to travel on the new buses free of charge.
According to the Chief Minister, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and students will not be required to pay fares when using the Green Electric Bus Service.
“Travel on these buses will be completely free for elderly citizens, special persons, women, and students,” she said.
The initiative is expected to improve mobility for thousands of commuters, particularly those who rely on public transportation for education, employment, healthcare, and other daily activities.
During her speech, Maryam Nawaz reiterated her government’s commitment to public welfare and inclusive development, stating that every resident of Punjab is the responsibility of the provincial administration.
“Every person living in Punjab is my responsibility,” she said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted several other social welfare and education initiatives being implemented by the provincial government.
She said the government is distributing laptops, electric bikes, and tablets to students while also providing 50,000 scholarships to support higher education and improve educational opportunities across the province.
According to the Punjab government, the electric bus project is intended not only to improve transportation infrastructure but also to encourage environmentally sustainable urban development by reducing dependence on conventional fuel-powered vehicles.
Electric buses produce lower emissions than diesel-powered vehicles and are increasingly being adopted by cities around the world as part of efforts to combat air pollution and climate change. Officials say the transition to electric public transport could help improve air quality while reducing long-term operating costs.
The launch of the service in Layyah, Chiniot, Sialkot, Okara, and Murree represents the initial phase of what the government describes as a province-wide expansion plan. Additional routes and cities are expected to be included as more buses become available.
The announcement of 1,500 new buses this year and a target of 5,000 buses over five years reflects one of the largest planned public transport expansions in Punjab’s history. If implemented as announced, the project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, particularly in districts that have historically lacked modern public transport systems.
Government officials say the Green Electric Bus Service is designed to provide commuters with safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly transportation while supporting broader development goals in the province. The success of the initiative will depend on timely procurement of vehicles, development of charging infrastructure, and efficient management of operations as the network expands in the coming years.
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