Modernising transport system: '100 buses from China to arrive in few days'

Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said the provincial government is introducing modern public transport system in the province for providing quality and comfortable travelling facilities to the masses.
He said that 350 new buses would be plied for the passengers in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur under this project. He said that besides bringing public transport at par with the international standard, staff of these buses would be educated, courteous and dressed in clean uniform.
This was disclosed in an information of DGPR received here Sunday. The CM Punjab was presiding over a meeting held to review the transport system of the province.
Shahbaz said that provincial government is importing modern buses from China. The length of each bus will be 12 meter and 80 passengers will easily travel through it. He said that these buses would be comfortable in which special facility would be available to female passengers. He directed that a strategy be evolved for introducing student-card scheme for concession in fare so that they could get a facility to receive knowledge.
He furthered that bus stops of modern design would be constructed where the facility of clean drinking water will be available. He termed 'pink bus service' for women, especially female students, a new culture and directed that more coaster buses should be plied for female passengers so that comfortable travelling could be available to them.
The CM said that experience and expertise of brotherly Islamic country Turkey should be benefited for launching new public transport system. He said that these buses would run through CNG, which will help in environmental protection. He reiterated that provision of comfortable travelling facilities is top priority of Punjab government and private sector is being encouraged in this regard so that the same could be promoted. He observed that comfortable and respectable public transport is the sign of a civilised society.
Earlier, Chairman Lahore Transport Company, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan informed the meeting that 100 buses have reached Karachi from China, which will arrive here within next few days. He said that Lahore Transport Company has designed concession e-card to benefit student passengers.
Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Finance, Secretary Transport, Commissioners and District Co-ordination Officers attended the meeting.