Zubair Qureshi
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all set to launch a fleet of 30 air-conditioned buses which will also be environment-friendly to roll on the Peshawar Morr-New Islamabad International Airp-
ort.
In this regard, the basic construction work has also been completed and only after procurement of buses and installation of the operationalization system a large number of the population will be able to enjoy the low-price, passenger-friendly service.
In this regard, in pursuance of the directions of the federal government, Capital Development Authority (CDA) has prepared a model for operationaliztion of Metro Bus from Peshawer Morr to New Islamabad Airport, says a statement issued by the CDA on Friday.
A meeting in this regard held in the office of Special Assistant to Prime Minister on CDA Ali Nawaz Awan where modalities of this model were discussed. Senior officials of the CDA and the ICT were also present in the meeting.
The model of the Peshawar Morr-Airport metro bus service includes fleet acquisition, IT, Security Surveillance & AFC System Acquisition, Construction of Allied Infrastructure—Command & Control Centre.
It was decided during the meeting that Operation & Maintenance will o be outsourced through four different Service Contracts.
Furthermore, preliminary cost estimation including CAPEX & OPEX are also part of the model.
The Initial estimations show a deficit of Rs273.32 million a year which shall be capped by the Federal Government/CDA.
The model for the metro bus service further includes Operations of 30-new air-conditioned buses plying on a fixed time schedule.
Electric/Environmental friendly buses will be preferred for Islamabad. In this connection, support and cooperation of Economic Affairs Division (EAD) has also been sought.
The final decision regarding operationalisation of Metro Bus System will be taken by Government in due course, it was further told during the meeting.
