PUNJAB’S public transport network has crossed a historic milestone, with over 1.14 million passengers using free transit services in a single day — the highest daily ridership ever recorded in the province. The figure, logged on April 8, is the clearest signal yet that the Punjab government’s decision to eliminate fares across its metrobus rapid transit and electric bus networks has struck a deep chord with an inflation-weary public. The initiative covers the Orange Line Metro Train, Lahore Metrobus, Speedo buses and an expanding fleet of electric buses operating across major urban centers. Data from the Punjab Mass Transit Authority shows the public response has far exceeded all initial projections. On April 6, more than 1.03 million passengers used the free service — itself a remarkable figure — before the daily record was broken again on April 8. Between April 4 and April 8, over 4.79 million passengers travelled free of charge and the five-day cumulative total surpassed 6 million journeys, a figure larger than the entire population of several major global cities.

The Orange Line Metro Train emerged as the undisputed backbone of Lahore’s urban mobility, carrying over 340,000 passengers on April 6 alone and logging more than 1.52 million trips across five days. The Lahore Metrobus served approximately 850,000 commuters........

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