dam Sultan, who has a solar panels business on Hall Road, relies on the Orange Line Metro Train for his daily commute from Samanabad to the GPO stop and back. As the train marked its third year of operation on October 25, Sultan’s daily travels also reached the three-year milestone.

“I vividly recall my first ride [on OLMT], back in 2020. I had hopped on it for a leisurely trip with my family,” he recalls. “Since then, I’ve used it for my daily commutes. For me it’s a hassle-free way to get to work.”

The OLMT happens to be Pakistan’s first mass transit train. There have been 119.246 million rides, ever since it was inaugurated. “It is undeniably a substantial and gratifying number, a testament to the quality of the train service,” says Uzair Shah, the general manager in charge of operations at the Punjab Mass Transit Authority. “We are anticipating growth in the number of passengers in the coming years, just as there have been increases in the past years.”

According to official data, in 2020 (from October to December), the mass transit service served 4,615,429 riders. The following year there were 21,469,835 rides, followed by 38,556,162 in 2022, and 54,605,388 in the year so far. The cumulative ridership now stands at an impressive 119.246 million.

The OLMT covers a total distance of 27.12 kilometres. This comprises a 1.72-kilometre cut-and-cover section and an elevated stretch of 25.4 kilometres. The elevated viaduct of the project incorporates U-shaped girders to ensure the structural integrity of the elevated portions. The train system boasts a network of 26 stations - 24 situated above the ground and two underground.

The fluctuating ridership may be attributed to the varying train trips. In 2020, the train service had 17,840 planned trips, 17,789 were actually completed. In 2021, there were 93,328 planned trips, and 93,173 trips were executed. The following year (2022), the train service completed 105,738 trips out of the 105,752 planned ones. In the current year, the project has completed 88,265 trips out of the planned 88,272 trips.

Why does the service fall short of the planned trips? Shah explains that the train operates continuously without delay or holiday. However, trips sometimes have to be skipped due to adverse weather conditions. Fog or heavy rain necessitate a reduction in train speed, which in turn affects the subsequent train journeys, resulting in fewer trips.

The train operates without delay or holiday. However, trips sometimes have to be skipped due to adverse weather conditions. Fog or heavy rain necessitates a reduction in train speed, which in turn affects the subsequent train journeys, resulting in fewer trips.

“Our trip efficiency, journey-time regularity and punctuality have consistently remained at 99.99 percent over the past three years. There have been no derailments, accidents or malfunctions,” Shah adds.

For regular commuters like Sultan, saving time is crucial. Therefore, he opts for a prepaid card. “Buying a ticket is always a challenge at the train’s Samanabad and GPO stations. There are always queues at the ticket booths. This ought to be helped,” he says.

Ibrahim Murad, the caretaker minister for transport, recently highlighted the OLMT’s role as a dependable mode of transportation. He spoke of its 27 sets, each comprising five cars, totalling 135 train cars in its rolling stock.

A vital component of the project is the depot located in Dera Gujran, which serves as the hub of central operations. This facility houses the operation control centre, workshops equipped with overhauling capabilities, a training centre and parking facilities. Additionally, there’s a stabling yard in Ali Town, providing essential services such as a washing facility, minor repair services and parking for the metro trains.

This infrastructure project was executed at an estimated cost of $1.26 billion. It is also seen as a symbol of the strong Pakistan-China friendship.

As the train continues to run smoothly day in and day out, it has moved past all controversies that had initially surrounded its planning and construction. The project has faced scrutiny on transparency issues and concerns about its environmental sustainability. Some groups had protested the construction, fearing harm to heritage sites in Lahore. In 2016, the Lahore High Court had ordered a construction halt within 200 feet of 11 historical sites.

Shahid Hussain, a resident of Ghoray Shah area, near GT Road, acknowledges the benefits of the rapid train project in his daily life. However, he is critical of the impact on Shalamar Gardens, saying, “When I pass by [the Shalamar Gardens], I can’t help notice that the train has marred its beauty. This is the dark side of development.”

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and entrepreneurship