LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the Punjab Transport Company headquarters and the EV Command and Control Centre, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing clean, safe and modern public transport for the people of the province.
During the visit, the chief minister also observed the state-of-the-art automatic washing plant for electric buses, where buses are washed and dried through an automated process.
She was informed that the facility recycles water for reuse. She also inspected the latest charging station for electric buses, where Yutong’s 160-kilowatt charging system can fully charge an electric bus within 105 minutes.
The chief minister visited the Command and Control Centre and sought a timeline for the induction of 1,500 new buses. She directed that the electric bus charging system be shifted to solar energy at the earliest and instructed officials to identify new routes for green electric buses.
She also ordered improved arrangements in view of rising passenger numbers and directed that additional buses be added at locations where commuters face long waiting times.
She further directed that carbon credits under the Green Bus Project be claimed. Appreciating the staff, she said the dedication shown by electric bus crews in assisting special persons is commendable.
The chief minister said the government wants to launch metro bus service projects in Faisalabad and Gujranwala at the earliest. She added that electric buses are providing the public with a comfortable travel facility, while the Punjab government is giving top priority to the convenience and safety of citizens, especially women and children.
She said smart travel systems are offering faster and easier commuting, while electric buses are helping reduce air pollution and smog. “Providing clean, safe and modern public transport to the people of Punjab is our foremost priority,” she said.
Punjab Transport Company CEO Kausar Khan gave a detailed briefing, stating that over 15.5 million passengers had travelled on electric buses across Punjab. More than 3.8 million women and over 1.5 million students had benefited from free travel, while around 750,000 senior citizens and 300,000 special persons had also travelled free of charge.
It was also stated in the briefing that the Punjab Transport Company has launched the “Empower Her” initiative to promote women’s economic independence. Under the programme, special tuck shops have been established at e-bus stations for widowed and divorced women, providing them with safe, dignified and self-reliant business opportunities.
Public transport stations are being transformed into community-friendly spaces, and so far, 10 women have been provided tuck shops at new bus stops in Lahore.
The briefing added that each electric bus is digitally monitored through six cameras and drivers are monitored using artificial intelligence. More than eighty thousand T-Cash cards have been issued across Punjab, enabling cashless and paperless travel.
Through the Command and Control Centre, timely bus operations are being ensured, and real-time data is being used to further improve the public transport system.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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