The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced new hybrid buses to expand public transport services in Peshawar. Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi formally inaugurated the buses and a dedicated Pink Bus Service for women.
The launch ceremony also highlighted several transport and infrastructure projects. These included a solar power project at Chamkani Depot and a new BRT depot in Hayatabad.
Several government officials attended the ceremony. They included Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, Transport and Mass Transit Special Assistant Sami Ullah Khan, and Transport Secretary Muhammad Zubair.
KP Urban Mobility Authority Managing Director Iftikhar Ahmed also attended the event. TransPeshawar Chief Executive Officer Dr Syed Murtaza Asghar Bukhari briefed participants on the project’s progress.
His briefing covered six years of operations, services provided to citizens, major achievements and future plans.
Peshawar BRT Fleet Expands to 296 Buses
The addition of new hybrid buses will increase the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fleet from 244 to 296 buses.
According to officials, the expanded fleet is expected to improve public transport services across the city. More buses will help increase service frequency on existing routes and reduce passenger waiting times.
The expansion may also support plans to extend the BRT network to additional areas. These changes aim to improve access to public transportation for residents.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi highlighted the importance of modern and reliable transport services. He also reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to safer and more environment-friendly public transportation.
Pink Bus Service Introduced for Women
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also launched a dedicated Pink Bus Service for women. The service will consist of five buses designed to provide a safe and comfortable travel option.
The buses will operate along a 21-kilometre route between Gulbahar Chowk and Karkhano Market. Services will run from Monday to Friday during morning, noon and evening peak hours.
The initiative is intended to provide women with an additional public transport option. It also forms part of the province’s wider efforts to improve urban mobility.
Chamkani Depot Gets a Solar Power Project
The inauguration ceremony included a 1-megawatt solar power project at Chamkani Depot. Officials expect the project to generate between 1.38 million and 1.44 million electricity units annually.
The project is also expected to save approximately Rs74.4 million each year. Officials further estimate that it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 469 tonnes annually.
These expected savings could help reduce operating costs and the environmental impact of public transport facilities.
New Hayatabad Depot to Support BRT Operations
The government also inaugurated the Mall of Hayatabad BRT Depot. The facility will support the growing bus fleet and expanding transport network.
The depot includes parking areas for buses, inspection facilities and workshops. It will also feature a fuel station and an automatic bus washing plant.
Additional facilities will provide accommodation and support services for drivers and other staff members. These arrangements are intended to support daily operations and vehicle maintenance.
The new buses, women’s transport service and infrastructure projects represent several developments in Peshawar’s public transport system. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government expects these initiatives to improve service availability and operational capacity.
In other related news also read KP Approves Rs3.23 Billion Development Projects
Officials have outlined expected improvements in passenger convenience, energy savings and emissions reduction. The impact will depend on the implementation and ongoing performance of these projects.
