Zubair Qureshi
The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all set to launch the metro bus service from Peshawar Mor to Islamabad International Airport (IIA) under interim arrangements w.e.f. March 23. This was informed during a meeting of the commission tasked with revising the master plan of Islamabad with CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed in chair.
The meeting was informed that preparations were underway to inaugurate the Metro Bus Service from Peshawar Mor to the New Islamabad International Airport on March 23.
The Peshawar Mor Central Station will function as the designated pick-up point. The National Highway Authority (NHA) had previously completed the 27-km road from Peshawar Mor to the New Islamabad Airport in March last year for this purpose. The total cost incurred was Rs16 billion.
Moreover, a “Capital Mass Transit Authority” will be set up to oversee the management and the service of the buses. The authority will be constituted under an act of parliament, with full control vested in it under the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The automated security and command and control system for ticketing will be made operational after six months. The commission was told that through a manual security and ticketing system the CDA will start the service. The CDA will soon open bids for awarding contract for the IT and security system.
At the starting point of the route, a shuttle bus service will also operate from three different points in Islamabad to this central station. A total of 30 metro buses will run on this route, which will start daily from 7am to 11pm.
This time frame is predicted to increase while the fare on this route will be Rs30 per passenger. Overall, the service will provide cheap and comfortable rides to passengers, citizens and employees traveling from Islamabad to New Islamabad Airport. It will also solve serious problems of overloading and overcharging of public transport along this route.
Under the Rawalpindi Regional Transport Authority, a coaster bus service from Coral and Rawat will also be operated, as this route has been approved. Initially the permits have been issued for the operation of ten vehicles.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the CDA said besides members of the commission, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CDA Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan also attended the meeting. It was decided that Mr Awan would be the permanent member of the commission from now.
The CDA management also presented a traffic management plan for Islamabad. Walkways will be completed and crossings along highways will be marked in addition to elimination of encroachments, it was further told.
