All 21 routes of Islamabad’s electric bus service are now fully operational, with daily ridership crossing 100,000 as work on depots nears completion.
All Routes Live Under Shehbaz Sharif’s Instructions
Islamabad’s electric bus network has reached a key milestone, with all 21 routes now fully operational. Acting on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has completed the rollout of the service so that more residents can access affordable, reliable and cleaner public transport across the city.
Officials say the expansion reflects the government’s focus on modern mass transit as a way to ease traffic congestion, cut fuel costs and reduce air pollution. By bringing all routes online, the CDA aims to connect major residential areas with business districts, educational institutions, health facilities and commercial centres through a single, integrated electric bus network.
Ridership Crosses 100,000 Commuters in a Day
Public response to the electric bus service has been strong, with officials reporting that ridership continues to grow steadily. On a single day, around 102,000 commuters used the service, underlining its importance as a daily transport option for office workers, students, labourers and families.
The rising passenger numbers suggest that many residents are choosing electric buses as an alternative to private cars, motorcycles and informal transport options. For commuters, the network offers predictable routes, fixed stops and relatively stable fares at a time when fuel prices and the cost of living remain a concern for households.
Progress Reviewed in High-Level CDA Meeting
The latest update on the electric bus project was shared during a progress review meeting chaired by Capital City Administrator Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The session brought together senior CDA officials, including Member Administration Talat Mahmood, Member Engineering Nifasat Raza, Member Planning Dr Khalid Hafeez, the director general procurement and contract, and various project directors.
Participants reviewed multiple development schemes underway in Islamabad, with the electric bus network highlighted as a flagship initiative. The meeting discussed operational performance, passenger feedback and the remaining tasks needed to bring supporting infrastructure, such as depots and maintenance facilities, fully online.
Electric Bus Depots Near Completion at Two Sites
Officials informed the meeting that construction of the main electric bus depots at two locations in the capital has reached its final stage. Overall, about 97 percent of the work has been completed, with all civil and structural works at Site A now finished in full.
Once fully commissioned, these depots will serve as the backbone of the electric bus system, providing secure parking, charging, maintenance bays and control facilities for the fleet. Reliable depot infrastructure is essential to keeping buses on schedule, managing battery charging cycles and ensuring that vehicles are kept in safe, roadworthy condition for daily operations.
Linking Margalla Avenue to M-1 and Other Mega Projects
The review meeting also took stock of other major development projects that are expected to support Islamabad’s long-term growth. One of the key schemes under discussion was the project to link Margalla Avenue with the M-1 Motorway, a connection that would improve access between the capital and the national motorway network.
Participants were briefed on progress for the planned Convention, Expo and Exhibition Centre, as well as a proposed luxury hotel project in Islamabad. These facilities are intended to strengthen the city’s role as a destination for conferences, trade fairs and high-level business events, complementing the improved public transport options created by the electric bus network.
Affordable, Cleaner Transport for Islamabad Residents
With all 21 routes now operational and depot construction nearing completion, Islamabad’s electric bus service is moving from a pilot phase to a full-scale urban transport system. For residents, the expansion means better coverage, shorter waiting times and more direct connections between key parts of the city.
Officials emphasise that the project is meant to deliver both social and environmental benefits: cheaper, predictable travel for commuters and reduced emissions compared to conventional diesel buses. As further supporting projects such as road links and civic infrastructure move ahead, the electric bus network is set to play an increasingly central role in how people move around Pakistan’s capital.
