Zero Point depot adds 14 of 20 chargers; Khanapul–Nilor and G‑9–Faizabad routes to start after integration, expanding clean public transport.
What The New Routes Will Cover
Capital Development Authority intends to initiate two new electric buses in Islamabad. There will be one road that links Khanapul to Nilor, and the other one will be G -9 to Faizabad. These routes will also expand the clean transportation system in the city and provide more citizens with an inexpensive, silent, and safe way to commute to their workplace. The buses will be timely to ensure that school children, office employees and even families can schedule their journeys with the least waiting duration.
Zero Point Depot Nears Full Operation
One of the steps is the Zero Point charging depot, in which 14 out of the intended 20 charging points have already been installed. The authorities believe that the work on integration will be completed in the next two days. When the system is tested, the depot will be able to commence with full charging. The additional capacity will eliminate a significant bottleneck that continued to retain some of the electric buses in the city even after delivery.
Fleet Status and Contractor Details
The National Radio Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) who is the transport contractor to CDA imported 160 electric buses to Islamabad last year. It currently serves 130 routes and has 21 routes operating, and the other units are not operational because of the scarcity of chargers. NRTC charges CDA per kilometer which incentivizes stable coverage of routes and services once the charging can be done at scale.
Project Costs, Sites, And Timeline
Zero point depot is valued at about Rs1.5 billion, construction of which started in January 2025 with an initial deadline set in June. The facility consists of two components, including Site A and Site B, and the completion of Site B that will include a data center to observe buses and chargers should be complete by the end of next month. As the integration is almost finished, the officials will be able to begin the two new routes on Wednesday, dependent on final checks.
What Commuters Should Expect Next
With the increase of charging, buses can be used across the busier corridors to decrease the number of people crowding and those who have to wait. Quieter rides, reduced exhaust around stops, and reduced punctuality should be visible to the passengers as depots take care of the overnight and day time top-ups. To avoid any inconvenience commuters are also known to be a few minutes early, pay digital fare or carry exact change where feasible and use platform markings so as to board quickly.
On a medium-term basis, CDA will be able to access feeder links to hospitals, colleges, and markets along these routes. Certain schedules, illuminated shelters, and real-time arrival information will allow residents to arrange their trips and motivate other citizens to switch their cars to a means of transportation.
