The Sindh government has announced plans to introduce an electric vehicle (EV) taxi service and expand the double-decker bus network in Karachi, aiming to modernize public transport and reduce pollution. Senior Minister for Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon issued directives during a meeting of the Transport and Mass Transit Department on Wednesday, as reported by ARY News.
Memon stated that citizens will soon benefit from comfortable and environmentally friendly EV taxis, which will offer quality commuting options while cutting down environmental pollution. He also revealed that additional double-decker buses are expected to arrive in Karachi shortly, and ordered officials to finalize new routes for these buses across the city. The minister highlighted that the Green Line BRT currently serves 81,000 passengers daily, and the Orange Line BRT carries 9,800 passengers, calling these numbers a positive sign for public transit uptake.
In a stern warning, Memon reiterated that men are strictly prohibited from driving the provincial government’s pink scooters, a scheme designed for women. He warned that any man caught operating a pink scooter would face immediate legal action and confiscation of the vehicle. Strict penalties will also be imposed on those found altering the scooter’s color to evade detection.
The minister also announced new bus routes under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with modern, air-conditioned EV buses to be deployed. These routes will be handed over to private investment companies through an open auction or competitive bidding process. Additionally, a new Peoples Bus Service route connecting Larkana and Qambar was approved, aiming to facilitate thousands of daily commuters and boost inter-district transportation in interior Sindh.
Memon instructed the transport department to complete all administrative and operational measures swiftly to launch the new services without delay.
For more details on electric vehicles and their environmental benefits, see Reuters’ coverage.
Source: ARY News