On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the long-waited Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the premier said that this was “the best metro bus project in the country”. Well, the time will tell.
The third generation mass transit system is to make daily commute easier for the locals. In addition, the flagship project of the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government will also lead to greater economic activity and prosperity. Not only that but it will also provide the people with world-class transport services.
Finally, from today onwards, the flagship project which took around 36 months to complete is all set to run. The K-P government decorated all the stations with green and white balloons and Pakistani flags.
As the Independence Day of the country is to be celebrated tomorrow, the excitement can be witnessed nationwide.
وزیراعظم عمران خان نے پشاور بی آر ٹی منصوبے کا باضابطہ افتتاح کر دیا۔#ZuPeshawarBRT pic.twitter.com/beqIr06Cit
— PTI Peshawar (@PTIPeshawar) August 13, 2020
While inaugurating, PM Khan also expressed satisfaction over the eco-friendly aspect of the transportation medium. He liked the idea of buses being run on a hybrid of diesel and another petroleum source.
Source: Twitter
Moreover, Peshawar BRT also introduced the much-awaited bicycle-sharing system for commuters. The newly introduced system will use the ‘Zu Fare Card’ to rent-out and return the bicycle.
Source: Twitter
The BRT system has a high-quality transport system, which provides a fast, efficient, reliable, and comfortable mode of transport for travelers. Not only will it avoid the congestion on the road but also reduce pollution to a great extent.
Remarkable features of Peshawar BRT
- 220 Air Conditioned Buses
- 30 Modern Bus Stations
- Environment-Friendly Hybrid Buses
- Chainless 360 Bicycles
- 32 Most Modern Bicycle Stations
- Special Corridor of 27 Kilometer Long BRT
- A network of 5 Roots adjacent to BRT
- Automatic doors on buses
- Escalators and lifts installed at different stations
- Separate waiting rooms, bathrooms, and ticket counters for women
- A separate track for disable people
Source: Twitter
Essentially, the BRT route will run from Chamkani to Hayatabad. Depending on where people decide to travel, a trip may cost anywhere between Rs 10 and Rs 50. Parking provision at each end of the BRT corridor will also be provided to encourage people with cars to use the BRT system.
Source: Twitter
To use the services, people will have to use ZU cards. These cards can be easily purchased from the ticket counter or machines. Once fully used, they will have to be recharged. To reach your destination the travel time will be shortened, secure, and comfortable. You can travel from Chamkani to Gul Market in fifteen minutes and from Hayatabad to Gora Qabristan in 25 minutes.
Source: Pro Pakistan
According to official documents, the initial estimate for the BRT project was Rs49.43 billion. However, the cost of the revised PC-1 had increased to Rs66.43 billion, which further increased to Rs 70 billion. In addition to this, the Asian Development Bank and AFD had provided a $593 million loan for the project. Whereas the provincial government provided the remaining amount.
One of the many benefits of traveling with peshawar BRT project is that it is a more friendly means of travel for women and children. And wait till you hear the best part- the stations and buses will have free wi-fi! Get ready for a new Metro/BRT experience in the city of Peshawar!
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