The Sindh government has set aside Rs4 billion for the next fiscal year 2022-23 to buy more buses for use in Karachi as part of the Sindh Peoples Intra-district Bus Project.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated in his budget speech to the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday that his government wished to develop a mass transit system in major cities, particularly Karachi, “to ensure safe, comfortable, and efficient public transportation service at an affordable fare and on a sustainable basis.”
He stated that the Sindh government spent Rs6.4 billion on the procurement of 250 buses during the current fiscal year 2021-22. “Rs4 billion has been set aside for the same purpose in the coming fiscal year,” he said.
He stated that the Sindh Peoples Intra-district Bus Project aimed to provide a modern, efficient, and sustainable transportation system to all social classes in Karachi. “The Project will include 250 buses that will run on seven routes in Karachi and one route in Larkana.” “Consultations with China and Turkey are underway to add more fleets,” he said.
He stated that the transport and mass transit department had undertaken the rehabilitation of the Drivers Training Schools in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana through public-private partnerships.
In the first phase, the department is also establishing modern terminals in Karachi, Thatta, and Badin, he said, adding that the revenue department had allotted 100 acres in Scheme 33 for the construction of a terminal in the metropolis.
