Rawalpindi has taken a major step towards clean, modern public transport as the district administration has finally launched the first phase of electric bus service on 4 key routes.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has inaugurated the service, marking a milestone in the city’s shift toward eco-friendly mobility.
In the first phase of launch, four routes will connect some of the busiest parts of the city. Raja Bazaar to Koral Chowk, Saddar to Adiala Road, Munawar Colony, Saddar to Qabristan Chowk, and Marrir Chowk to 26 Number Chungi.
80 Eco-Friendly Buses for Garrison City
As per the senior district administration officials, a total of 80 electric buses will operate in Rawalpindi under this project.
• First phase: 45 buses, already arrived and ready to operate
• Second phase (by the end of December): 35 additional buses after completion of charging stations on Peshawar Road
• Third phase: 30 more buses to be introduced once work at Kutchery Chowk is completed
These buses are currently parked at the old GTS bus stand on Adamjee Road and the Metro Bus Service Command and Control Centre on Haider Road. Staff recruitment has been completed, and routes have been finalized with minor adjustments where construction is ongoing.
Charging Infrastructure and Route Adjustments
To support the new electric fleet, a temporary charging station has already been set up at the old GTS bus stand in Saddar. Two more permanent charging stations are under construction at the Peshawar Road bus stand and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Read more: Fast train project between Islamabad-Rawalpindi will be integrated with feeder electric buses
Because of development work at Kutchery Chowk, some routes will temporarily skip this intersection and use alternative roads. Officials have clarified that once construction is finished, routes will be restored to their originally planned paths.
Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary Asad Shirazi confirmed that driver training has been completed, and operations are ready to start as soon as the official inauguration takes place.
Routes to Connect Key Locations
Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema shared that the 80 electric buses will cover 10 new routes, spanning 86 kilometres, connecting:
• Rawalpindi Railway Station
• Islamabad Airport
• Metro Bus Stations
• General Bus Stand
• Islamabad and various parts of Rawalpindi city
Some of the key routes include:
• Route 1: Railway Station to Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench
• Route 2: Koral Chowk to Fawara Chowk
• Route 3: Umar Baig Chowk to Mandi Mor
• Route 4: Munawar Colony to Saddar
• Route 5: Marrir Chowk to Motorway Mor
• Route 6: Faizabad to Tramri Chowk
A 28-kanal depot on Peshawar Road is also being developed to park and maintain the buses. The land already belongs to the Transport and Mass Transit Department, avoiding acquisition delays.
Read more: First fleet of 240 electric buses will reach this month for remote districts of Punjab
Cleaner Transport, Better Connectivity
Officials keep on stressing that the main goal of the project is twofold:
• Minimize pollution in the garrison city
• Provide a modern, reliable, and affordable transport system linked with the existing Metro Bus network
Read more: 87 electric buses will be launched across four routes of Rawalpindi and Islamabad
For daily commuters, students, workers, and airport travelers, this means:
• More comfortable and frequent buses
• Cheaper alternative to private vehicles and ride-hailing
• Less time stuck in traffic due to better route planning
If implemented effectively, Rawalpindi’s new electric bus service could become a model for green urban transport in other cities of Pakistan that is combining environmental protection, public convenience, and modern infrastructure in one initiative.