As the local bus assemblers have already been struggling hard to revive their sales amid ongoing imports of new buses, the Sindh government has planned to add 8,000 electric buses to the People Bus Service in phases.

Around 1,500 buses are planned for the city in Phase 1 for the first year, with 50 already operational electric buses. Another 1,500 buses will be added to the fleet in the second phase, while 4,000-6,000 will be deployed in the city in the final phase. Besides, a good number of buses have already been imported from China for the People’s Bus Service.

Around 100,000 people are utilising the Red Line Bus service daily, for which the Sindh government is providing a subsidy of Rs50 per passenger.

However, reports are coming up relating to a hike in fares by 20 per cent to 60pc on various routes from next month as the provincial government is planning to reduce or eliminate the subsidy in order to purchase new buses. Passengers travelling within 15km and above 15km will pay Rs80 and Rs120, respectively. Currently, the minimum and maximum fares are Rs50 and Rs100, respectively.

On the other hand, the three main members of the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) are unable to reach a peak in sales. As per PAMA data, Hino sold 65 buses in 1HFY25 against 80 units in the same period last year, while Master and Issue sales rose to 167 and 72 units from 36 and........

© Dawn Business