RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has reduced the operating hours of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus service by one hour to save fuel.
PMA Operations Manager Muhammad Wajid said the metro bus will now run from 6am to 9pm instead of 6am to 10pm. He said buses from both Rawalpindi and Islamabad will now leave at the same time.
He said the decision was taken as part of government efforts to reduce energy use amid growing fuel concerns.
Muhammad Wajid said the number of passengers has already fallen after the closure of schools, colleges and universities, along with work-from-home instructions for government offices.
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He said daily ridership has dropped from 170,000 to 130,000 on weekdays, while weekend passengers have fallen to 100,000.
He added that the metro buses running between Rawalpindi and Islamabad use diesel, and the PMA decided to shorten service hours to cut fuel consumption. He said the new timing was set after authorities noted fewer passengers after 9pm.
Replying to reports about a possible fare increase from Rs30 to Rs40, he said no such directions had been issued by the PMA. “We are charging Rs30 per person,” he said.
