RAWALPINDI – The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) has announced the closure of Rawalpindi-Islamabad express metro bus service, which was launched last year, due to lack of funds and vehicles.
Commuters have slammed the authorities for halting the ‘non-stop’ bus service between the twin cities as it saved 20 minutes due to only seven stop.
The express metro bus service ran from Saddar in Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Secretariat in Islamabad with just seven stops as compared to 24 stops by the regular bus service on the same route.
PMA General Manager Operations Uzair Shah told media that out of a total of 68 vehicles, seven metro buses were allocated to run the express project. He acknowledged that the project received positive response from routine commuters but lamented it caused financial losses.
Saying the seven buses of the express service will be added back to the regular service, he said that from now on all metro buses on Rawalpindi-Islamabad route will make 24 stops.
The PMA official said that the 6th Road bus station is expected to be operational by February 3 as it would inaugurated in a special ceremony.
