The Sindh government has approved the purchase of 500 electric buses for Karachi and Hyderabad, which aims to promote clean and effective public transfer to the province.
The decision was made during the 48th meeting of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board, chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House on Friday.
The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, chief secretary, planning and development chairman, director general of PPP unit, transport secretary, and other important officials.
During the session, the board gave a green light to the People’s Green Transport Project, which aims to introduce a large fleet of electric buses through public private partnerships. The structure, scope and risk sharing model of the project has been approved, as well as a modified proposal of a private firm that will be given the right to exempt from the process of refusal and prejudice.
The board also allowed the investors’ request to bring a private partner for implementation.
Under the project, 500 electric buses will be developed in stages, which will be supported by depot, charging stations, bus shelters, and an automated fare and through intelligent transport system. The move will work under a 12 -year discount period and is expected to serve more than 200,000 passengers daily.
Connected with the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, the project aims to improve urban movement while reducing air pollution and defense on fossil fuel. The board described the move as an important milestone towards clean, modern and sustainable public transport in Sindh.