Lahore took a historic step toward cleaner and faster urban travel as Pakistan’s first Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SART) trackless electric tram completed its trial run from Ali Town to Muslim Town on Tuesday. The event marked the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s public transport history.
The trial run was overseen by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who personally inspected the onboard facilities and watched the train navigate through regular city traffic. Crowds gathered along Raiwind Road and Canal Road, cheering and waving as the sleek, modern train passed by — a rare moment of excitement for daily commuters.
Modern Design, Built for the City
The SART system is equipped with three air-conditioned coaches that is meant to carry up to 320 passengers at a time. It is not a partially electric but fully electric; it can travel easily 40 kilometres by getting a single charge. It is highly appealing for urban travel. Officials have hinted that a fourth coach could be added later to increase capacity.
Manufactured by Norinco International, the system is already running successfully in countries like Turkey, China, and the UAE. Bringing it to Pakistan is part of the government’s wider push for modern, environment-friendly transport.
Read more: Lahore’s first trackless electric tram arrives
Why This Matters for Lahore
The introduction of SART is expected to:
• Reduce traffic congestion by taking hundreds of cars off the road.
• Cut air pollution in a city that struggles with smog every winter.
• Provide affordable, comfortable, and reliable transport for working people and students.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said, “This project is not just about transportation — it’s a symbol of progress. The SART will make Lahore more beautiful, more connected, and easier to travel around.”
Bigger Plans for Green Transport
The CM also declared 1,100 electric buses for Punjab, with fares as low as Rs 20 so that even low-income families can use them. These buses will serve both large cities and smaller towns.
She further promised to end water shortages in the province within a year, restore free medicines for patients (already at 95% availability), and expand mobile health services through the Clinic on Wheels programme.
A Glimpse of the Future
For many Lahoris, seeing the SART glide silently through the streets was a glimpse into what public transport could be — clean, quiet, and efficient. If the project get successful, similar systems are planned for Gujranwala and Faisalabad, possibly changing how millions of Pakistanis travel every day.
As one onlooker near Muslim Town said while taking photos, “We’ve been waiting for something like this for years. If it works well, it will be going to alter life in the city.”