Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the immediate distribution of 240 electric buses to 24 districts of southern Punjab, ensuring a major leap toward sustainable and inclusive transport development in the province.

During a high-level transport review meeting, the chief minister emphasized that rural and urban areas must receive equal developmental attention. “No district is less important — every region deserves modern transport,” she stated. The move aligns with her broader vision to bridge the rural-urban divide and promote environmentally friendly mobility solutions across Punjab.

In the first phase, 240 electric buses will be dispatched to underserved districts. Additionally, 500 e-buses will be deployed between August and October in major cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi. Another 600 electric buses are expected to arrive by year-end.

Of the incoming fleet, 400 electric buses will be launched under the Punjab Clean Air Programme in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Lahore, aiming to reduce urban pollution and improve air quality. Routes will be finalized based on real commuter data and public needs, ensuring efficiency and accessibility.

The meeting also reviewed the Gujranwala Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which will cover a 22-kilometre corridor from Rahwali to Aimanabad with 28 modern stations and 80 feeder buses to link suburban zones. The feasibility of extending the BRT to Gakhar Mandi was also discussed. CM Maryam Nawaz directed the Transport Department to integrate smart traffic management solutions along the route and expedite construction of four electric bus depots.

The transport update included progress reports on Faisalabad’s Red Line and Orange Line systems. The Red Line will span 23.4 kilometres with 24 stations, catering to 185,000 daily commuters, while the Orange Line will stretch 29 kilometres with 21 stations, serving around 111,000 passengers each day. On the CM’s instructions, the Red Line’s route will now connect the Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) to Salami Chowk, improving industrial connectivity.

This large-scale electric bus rollout underscores the Punjab government’s push for green infrastructure, clean air, and smart public mobility, bringing sustainable progress to both urban hubs and rural districts.