KARACHI: The Sindh government has earmarked significant funding in its budget 2026-27 to expand public transport services, accelerate the shift to electric mobility and modernise fare collection systems across the province.
”Approximately Rs6.195 billion have been proposed to modernise transport facilities,” said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also holds portfolio of finance.
He said the People’s Bus Service network has grown to 290 operational buses, with new routes launched in Khairpur, Shikarpur, Tando Allahyar and Hyderabad. The service is now carrying around 125,000 passengers daily and has transported more than 41 million passengers since its launch.
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The Pink Bus Service, Pakistan’s first women-exclusive public transport initiative, has expanded to 28 buses operating on five routes in Karachi. Dedicated Pink Buses on the Green Line corridor are also serving approximately 1,500 women commuters daily.
As part of efforts to promote environmentally sustainable transport, 34 electric minibuses became operational during FY2025-26, while five double-decker buses were added to Karachi’s road network.
The provincial government plans to induct another 100 electric buses, expected to serve more than 50,000 passengers daily, he said.
Under the People’s Green Transport Programme, procurement of the first 500 electric buses under a broader 1,000-bus electric vehicle programme is underway through a public-private partnership model.
To support transport operations, the government has allocated Rs1.8 billion for dollar parity adjustments under the Sindh Intra-District People’s Bus Service Project, while Rs1.68 billion has been earmarked for fuel cost indexation. An additional Rs175 million has been set aside as grant-in-aid for utility expenses.
The budget also includes Rs825 million for the acquisition of 50 electric buses on a rent-to-own basis and Rs1.65 billion for the supply, construction, operation and maintenance of 100 electric buses.
Meanwhile, Rs64.62 million has been allocated for operational expenses related to the procurement and operation of public transport buses through the National Energy & Transport Corporation (NETC) under a government-to-government arrangement.
Shah said the government said the Automated Fare Collection System has already been implemented on Green Line, Orange Line and People’s Bus Service routes, paving the way for a unified Intelligent Transport System across Sindh.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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