CDA to start new bus service

Islamabad : The Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday decided to provide comfortable transport service on different routes to facilitate residents of Islamabad.

The decision was taken in a meeting held on Tuesday with CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed in the chair. The meeting was attended by all the board members. The project summary will be sent to the federal cabinet for final approval.

To provide modern and quality travel facilities to the citizens of Islamabad, the CDA administration is considering a project called "Islamabad Bus Service" which will be launched after the final approval of the Federal Cabinet, an official of the authority said.

Initially, 30 buses will be added to the project, the number of which will be increased soon. The service will start from Soan Interchange to Faisal Masjid", "Bhara Kahu to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Metro Bus Station" and "Tarnol Railway Station to N-5 Metro Bus Station. There will be 64 stops (stations) on the routes, modern and strict security arrangements will be made at every bus stop (station) with a tuck shop and public toilets. It should be noted that all the buses will have air conditioning and each bus will have a seating capacity of 70 people, while the buses will also include priority seats for women and special persons. From Monday to Friday 6:30 am to 9 pm, while on Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 10 pm, the timing of which will soon be changed according to the public needs.

Separate parking areas and depots will be constructed for the three bus routes, besides filling stations for buses will be set up which will benefit the general public besides refueling the buses. In addition, sign boards for advertisements will be installed at every bus stop (station) which will help the company to collect revenue. The CDA administration will purchase buses, build bus stops (stations), renovate them, build depots and parking areas, while the project will be overseen by the Metro Command and Control Centre.

The project will be open to the public by December after formal approval by the federal cabinet.