Balochistan has launched the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta, introducing a new public transport option aimed at providing residents with safe, comfortable and affordable travel.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi inaugurated the service on Tuesday.
The provincial government has announced subsidized fares for passengers, while senior citizens and persons with disabilities will be able to travel free of charge.
First Metro Train Service in Balochistan
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti described the launch as an important development for Balochistan’s transportation system.
He said the new metro train service is the province’s first and is intended to provide a reliable transportation facility for people living and working in Quetta.
According to the chief minister, the service is expected to particularly benefit workers, students, professionals and other residents who rely on affordable public transportation for their daily travel.
The government has kept fares subsidized for ordinary passengers to make the service accessible to a wider section of the population.
Free Travel for Senior Citizens and Persons With Disabilities
As part of the service’s fare policy, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will not have to pay for their journeys.
Other passengers will be charged subsidized fares under the provincial government’s transport initiative.
The move is intended to make public transportation more affordable while providing additional support to groups that may face greater mobility challenges.
The introduction of subsidized fares also reflects the government’s focus on keeping the new service accessible to people who depend on public transport for commuting.
Second Train Planned
The provincial government is also planning to expand the service by adding another train.
Bugti said the addition of a second train would eventually allow the metro service to operate in both directions, potentially improving frequency and reducing waiting times for passengers.
The initial service is therefore being presented as the beginning of a broader railway-based public transport network for Quetta.
The government plans to assess the service and continue developing the system as additional resources and infrastructure become available.
Railway Track Extension Underway
Work has also started on extending the railway track toward Bostan Industrial Estate.
The extension is expected to connect the metro service with an important industrial area and potentially improve transportation links for workers and businesses.
The provincial government is also considering further extensions toward Pishin, Bostan and Mastung.
If implemented, these extensions could expand the reach of the railway-based transport system beyond Quetta and provide additional connectivity between the provincial capital and surrounding areas.
However, the proposed extensions will depend on future planning, funding and infrastructure development.
Initial China Import Plan
According to Chief Minister Bugti, the original plan for the project involved importing engines and coaches from China.
The estimated cost of importing the required rolling stock was projected at between Rs. 50 billion and Rs. 60 billion.
Under the original proposal, the project could have taken approximately three to four years to complete.
The plan was subsequently changed after Federal Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi proposed using Pakistan Railways’ own manufacturing capabilities.
Pakistan Railways to Manufacture New Coaches
Instead of importing the new engines and coaches, the government decided to have them manufactured through Pakistan Railways.
Bugti said the decision would help save both time and financial resources while making use of the existing capacity of the national railway institution.
The move could also allow Pakistan Railways to play a greater role in expanding railway-based public transportation within Balochistan.
Using local manufacturing capacity may also reduce dependence on imported rolling stock for future expansion, although the overall cost and timeline of additional trains will depend on the project’s technical and financial requirements.
Focus on Affordable Public Transport
The launch of the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service comes as Quetta continues to require affordable and reliable transportation options for its growing population.
For students and workers in particular, transportation costs can represent a significant part of daily expenses. Subsidized fares could help reduce the cost of regular commuting for passengers using the new service.
The free travel facility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities further expands the social coverage of the project.
The government has described the service as an effort to improve the quality of public transportation while providing residents with a safer and more comfortable alternative for daily travel.
Potential for Wider Railway Network
The proposed expansion toward Bostan, Pishin and Mastung indicates that the project could eventually become part of a larger railway-based transport network in the province.
The planned connection toward Bostan Industrial Estate could also provide an important link between residential areas and employment centres.
For the project to expand successfully, additional trains, track infrastructure, stations and operational facilities will be required.
The provincial government’s decision to involve Pakistan Railways in manufacturing future engines and coaches could form part of that expansion strategy.
New Chapter for Quetta Transport
The launch of the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service marks a new development in Quetta’s public transport system.
With subsidized fares for passengers and free travel for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the service has been designed to keep railway travel affordable.
The planned addition of a second train and possible track extensions could further increase the network’s coverage in the coming years.
The decision to use Pakistan Railways for manufacturing future rolling stock also represents a shift from the original plan to import engines and coaches from China.
As the service begins operations, its passenger demand, operating performance and future expansion plans will determine how extensively the railway-based transport network develops across Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.
Also read: Islamabad Set to Introduce 160 Electric Buses for Metro
