ISLAMABAD: Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa has directed officials to provide complete information about all electric bus routes, stations, and schedules on Google Maps. The aim is to make it easier for Islamabad commuters to access environment-friendly travel options from the comfort of their homes.
He issued these instructions while chairing a meeting at the CDA headquarters, attended by board members. Mr Randhawa said all electric buses should be clearly visible on Google Maps, with different colours and detailed information about bus stops and arrival times. This will help passengers identify buses easily and plan their journeys better.
The chairman further directed that payment through debit and credit cards — such as MasterCard and Visa — should also be made available. He asked CDA officials to engage with relevant banks to enable card-based fare payments.
Mr Randhawa also instructed the team to introduce special travel packages and discount cards for passengers who want to use weekly, monthly, or quarterly travel options. Special discounted packages should also be introduced for students, daily wage workers, and senior citizens.
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Officials briefed the chairman that the electric bus project was progressing successfully, with passenger numbers exceeding expectations. The current ridership has reached around 95,000.
Muhammad Ali Randhawa emphasised that every effort would be made to improve the service and bring it up to international standards. He also directed that more routes should be identified and added to the electric bus network to further improve accessibility for the public.
On the other news, the fares of the metro bus service in the federal capital Islamabad have been increased before Eidul Azha 2025.
A public notification from the administration states that the new fare policy will start on June 1, 2025 (Sunday). The fare for a single trip on the Orange, Green, Blue Lines, and Electric Feeder routes will now be Rs 100.
As per the details, Previously most routes had a fare of Rs 50, while the Orange Line’s N-5 to Airport route was Rs 90. Officials explained that the fare increase is needed to maintain service quality due to higher fuel prices, operational costs, and other expenses.
People in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were happy when the metro and electric bus services started, as they expected these would offer affordable travel compared to costly private transport and overcrowded vehicles.
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However, the 100 percent fare increase has caused inconvenience for many passengers, who are unhappy with the decision. They say it will create difficulties for low-income people and reduce the service’s usefulness.
Citizens have suggested introducing a fare system based on distance, so those traveling shorter distances pay less, instead of a fixed fare for all.
Islamabad Metro Bus Service Fares (Effective from June 1, 2025)
| System | Route | Existing Fare (Rs.) | Revised Fare (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Line Metro Bus System | FAF to NS | 50 | 100 |
| NS to Airport | 90 | 100 | |
| Green Line Bus Feeder Route Service | PIMS to Bhara Kahu | 50 | 100 |
| Blue Line Bus Feeder Route Service | PIMS to Gulberg Green | 50 | 100 |
| Electric Vehicle Feeder Service | Islamabad Feeder Routes | 50 | 100 |
As per the details, the fare of the Rawalpindi–Islamabad (Red) Metro Bus, however, has not been increased.
It should be noted that a few days ago, there were reports that the fare of the Islamabad Metro Bus would be increased to Rs100 from May 26, 2025. However, those reports were later denied. But now, in less than a week, the fare has actually been increased.
