The Karachi Electric Bus Service, launched a year ago by the Sindh government, is facing the threat of a complete shutdown as buses running on two of its three routes were suddenly suspended, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Only one route on which the bus is still functional also has a low number of high-tech public transport buses provided.These electric buses were launched under the project of People Bus Services by the Sindh government in June 2023.One of the routes begins from Tank Chowk near Jinnah Avenue to reach Clock Tower, which passes the thoroughfare of the Airport, Sharae Faisal, FTC, Korangi and Khayaban-e-Ittahad.
Although the other one, starts its journey from Malir Cantt checkpost to stop at M.A. Jinnah Road passing Safoora Chowk, Moosamyaat, Kamran Chowrangi, Perfume Chowk, Millennium, Dalmia, and Agha Khan Hospital.The buses require a charging dock to get a power supply. Two power stations for a total of 40 buses were established in Bahria Town and Malir Cantt.
The charge stations were reportedly unable to charge which led the situation to the suspension of buses on two routes.Thousands of people traveling by these electric buses started their week with the shock that the buses they were waiting for are no longer available.
