CDA has raised the fare for electric buses in Islamabad from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per ride. This change is effective immediately and affects major routes including the Orange, Blue, and Green Lines.
According to CDA, the fare increase is necessary to deal with financial issues and help keep the transport service running smoothly. Even with the new fare, CDA will still need an annual subsidy of Rs. 2.79 billion to operate the service.
Islamabad’s electric bus fleet has 160 vehicles, though only 120 are currently working. The remaining buses are not in use due to a shortage of charging stations. To solve this, a new depot is being built at Zero Point to improve charging and fleet usage.
CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa explained that the fare hike is important to support clean and modern public transport without putting too much financial pressure on the government. He added that steps are being taken to offer concessional passes for students, office workers, and senior citizens.
In addition, CDA is planning to introduce smart cards to make payments easier. Route information will also be made available on Google Maps to help passengers plan their journeys better.
While the increased fare may be difficult for some, CDA believes it is a necessary move to keep the service running and continue offering safe, eco-friendly travel to over 85,000 daily commuters.
