Metro Bus System would bring revolution in transport sector:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that revolutionary transformation in the transport sector would come about as a result of completion of metro bus system which is a great public service project in the history of the country. He said that metro bus service would provide speedy, comfortable and affordable transport to the citizens, for which e-ticketing system is being introduced and best possible facilities for passengers at bus stations would be arranged, while the metro bus service project would be exemplary in terms of its quality and transparency.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a high level meeting held with regard to metro bus service project, here today, during which various matters relating to the project including purchase of escalators and other affairs came under discussion. Project Director, BRT Sabtain Fazl-e-Haleem, Secretaries of Finance, Transport and Planning & Development Departments, DG LDA, MD PEMRA and other concerned officers attended the meeting. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that provision of the best and affordable transport facilities to the people is foremost policy of the Punjab government, for which huge resources are being utilized. He said that for the first time in the history of the province, the best air-conditioned bus service has been launched for the poor masses in the provincial metropolis, while air-conditioned buses are also operating in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and other big cities of the province.

He said that the government is providing every possible facility to the bus operators. He said that efficient and quality transport is also essential to promote business activities and, by adopting comprehensive strategy for betterment of transport system, positive results are being garnered, while the people have expressed their appreciation over initiation of best air-conditioned bus service. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that work of construction of metro bus service over 32-KM long track from Gajumata to Shahdarah is continuing, while an 8-KM long flyover, which is the biggest in South Asia, is being constructed.

He said that Turkish companies are also working on various development projects in collaboration with the Punjab government, whereas the metro bus project is a shining example of Pak-Turk friendship. He said that not only the citizens would avail the best travelling facilities as a result of the completion of this project, but the relations between Pakistan and Turkey would also be further strengthened. The Chief Minister directed that the best and high quality escalators should be purchased for metro bus service project while the process of purchasing should be expedited.