PUNJAB Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has instructed Provincial Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan to implement an e-taxi service across the province, following the model of China’s electric taxi system. The Punjab transport department has already started laying the foundation for the project, with discussions underway with multiple electric vehicle manufacturers. In the initial phase, the e-taxi service will be launched in Lahore and divisional headquarters, with plans to extend the service to other major cities across Punjab. The service will operate 24/7, offering citizens an affordable, eco-friendly transportation alternative.
This is yet another major initiative of the Punjab Chief Minister, who is working hard to ameliorate the lot of the people of the province through multi-dimensional measures. The plan for introduction of e-taxi scheme comes immediately after the CM paid a fruitful visit to China, where she had intensive interaction with governmental authorities and the corporate sectors with a view to reviewing modern systems and their possible replication in Pakistan. The speed with which she has decided to introduce an e-taxi scheme on the pattern of China is manifestation of her resolve to accomplish developmental and welfare-oriented initiatives without wasting any time. It may be mentioned that a similar scheme (Yellow Cab) initiated by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during his tenure as Prime Minister not only facilitated mobility but also provided decent employment opportunities to thousands of people. The e-taxi scheme will surely enhance access to cost-effective travel options. Apart from this, the Punjab Government has initiated the procurement of electric buses for Faisalabad and Bahawalpur. This initiative aims to tackle significant transportation issues, including the shortage of quality public transport, heavy traffic congestion and environmental concerns such as smog. The project prioritizes sustainability by introducing eco-friendly electric buses to public transportation in these cities. To ensure high-quality standards, the procurement process will include a rigorous pre-qualification of firms, based on strict criteria. Fuller details of the e-taxi scheme are not available but it is hoped that it will be implemented in a transparent manner and there will be no compromise on the quality of the vehicles.
