KARACHI: The Sindh Transport Department has sent a summary to the provincial cabinet seeking approval for the purchase of 500 electric buses, Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon said on Wednesday.
The Sindh senior minister said that, following approval, the new electric buses would be introduced in different cities in phases.
Sharjeel Memon said the Sindh government was expanding the public transport system and that its priority was to ensure modern public transport facilities were not limited to Karachi.
He said the scope of the People’s Bus Service was being continuously expanded, with new routes aimed at providing citizens with affordable and better transport facilities.
The senior minister said 50 double-decker buses would arrive in Sindh by November 30 and would be operated on various routes.
He added that the arrival of the double-decker buses would provide passengers with additional transport capacity.
Sharjeel Memon said the launch of the People’s Bus Service in Qambar-Shahdadkot was receiving an encouraging response from the public, with residents of Qambar, Shahdadkot and surrounding areas appreciating the modern bus service.
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He described the electric bus project as an important addition to Sindh’s public transport system, saying the new buses would also help address growing transport-related challenges.
Earlier on June 28, Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that the provincial government would launch a Pink Taxi Scheme for women as part of its broader electric vehicle (EV) transport initiative.
Speaking in the Sindh Assembly, Memon said the government had taken several measures to empower women, adding that the Pink Taxi Scheme would follow the launch of the Pink Scooter programme.
He said authorities had directed traffic police to take action if men were found riding pink scooters issued under the scheme. “We have received complaints that some women’s brothers are using the scooters, and necessary instructions have been issued to address the matter,” he said.
The minister said the upcoming EV Pink Taxi Scheme would include a fleet of pink taxis dedicated to women, adding that the provincial government would soon share further details of the project.
Highlighting the government’s transport initiatives, Memon said Sindh was the first province in Pakistan to introduce electric buses. Responding to criticism over the limited number of scooters distributed, he noted that only 150 women held driving licences when the Pink Scooter Scheme was launched.
