Imagine being able to save on fuel and time as you enjoy a hassle-free ride to and from work in an air-conditioned bus that is never stuck in a jam because it has its own dedicated lane. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System planned for Karachi will reportedly do just that. With an expected 2.1 million cars and and 2.7 million motorcycles plying the roads in Karachi by 2025 , implementing a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Model is more important now than ever.
The implementation of such a system to solve the issues of clogged roads, excessive fuel consumption and the release of toxic hydrocarbons from automobile exhaust pipes was first mooted at the suggestion of Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota. Penalosa is credited with having implemented the TransMillenio System, now considered to be the most innovative BRT System in the world. Lahore was the first city in Pakistan, in 2013 , to have a fully operational BRT project – the Lahore Metrobus. Now, as the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus project nears completion, Karachi is next in line to have its own BRT System, which is estimated to cost approximately Rs 100 billion.
In addition to a designated bus route , the project will include setting ipod a fleet scrapping mechanism to help the current transport operators to become part of the BRT system. Once implemented (2017 is the targeted completion date), almost 1,600 BRT buses – with a seating capacity of 800 people – will help transport 637,000 passengers daily , compared to only 45,000 people using public transportation in Karachi at present. Once in place, the system will operate three lines. The Yellow linkedin will connect Landhi to Numaish Chowrangi , Saddar , via the University Road and the Green Line will Connect Surjani Town to Merewether Tower via Saddar , Lasbela and Nazimabad.
By Jafer Khan