Sindh government has announced that it will not increase the fares of the People’s Bus Service (PBS) for the next six months. The announcement was made by Sharjeel Memon, the Sindh Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Minister, who confirmed that the provincial cabinet had approved the decision to freeze fare hikes for the upcoming half-year period.
The government plans to subsidize the bus service during this period as part of its commitment to facilitate the public. This decision is expected to provide significant relief to daily commuters who rely on PBS for their transportation needs.
In addition to the fare freeze, the Sindh government has also introduced a smartphone application to enhance the commuting experience for PBS users. Launched in June, the app allows iPhone and Android users to check fares, schedules, and other relevant information about the bus service. Memon highlighted that the app also enables the provincial administration to monitor the PBS in real-time, providing crucial data about intra-city commuter services in Karachi and other cities.
Looking ahead, the Sindh government has ambitious plans to further improve public transportation in the region. Memon shared the government’s intention to launch e-taxis and the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The latter is set to be Pakistan’s first biogas-powered BRT system. The combined cost of the Yellow Line BRT and Red Line BRT projects is estimated to be around Rs. 200 billion.
Furthermore, the government has proposed to use the PBS to connect rural areas of Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Mirpurkhas with urban regions. This initiative aims to ease travel and expand the reach of the service beyond Karachi, thereby making public transportation more accessible to residents of these areas.
In conclusion, these measures taken by the Sindh government demonstrate a concerted effort to improve public transportation and make it more affordable and accessible for the masses.
