Following the successful introduction in Lahore, Islamabad is now preparing to roll out Chinese-made electric trams supplied by CRRC, a key provider of railway equipment to Pakistan. This development represents a major step forward in upgrading the capital’s public transportation infrastructure.
The decision to introduce electric trams was reached during a recent meeting held at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) headquarters, chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa. The plan includes deploying electric tram buses to improve mobility and provide residents with access to modern, efficient transport.
CDA Chairman directed the swift completion of a feasibility study to enable the launch of advanced tram services on Islamabad’s busiest routes. The proposed trams will include multiple compartments to carry more passengers and will be designed for inclusive access, including features for women and differently-abled individuals.
It was shared during the meeting that a detailed feasibility report is underway, covering financial, operational, and business aspects. Islamabad’s current electric bus service already boasts over 90,000 daily riders, with the public praising the service for being eco-friendly, reliable, and cost-effective.
Chairman Randhawa urged officials to prioritize the financial sustainability of the project. He called for a viable self-financing model and the involvement of public-private partnerships, alongside setting firm timelines and performance targets for the tram rollout.
The new trams will operate on roads instead of traditional railway tracks, using innovative Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) technology. These “Smart Buses” follow virtual rails marked on the road using sensors, allowing the 30-meter-long electric vehicles to respond in real time to their environment.
Officials noted that if the Islamabad project proves successful, the tram network could soon be expanded to other major cities, such as Faisalabad and Gujranwala, within the current fiscal year.
Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan highlighted that this cutting-edge technology has recently been introduced in places like Abu Dhabi and several Chinese cities, with Budapest next in line. He expressed confidence that cities in Pakistan, including Lahore and Gujranwala, could begin operations before Budapest, making Pakistan the first country in South Asia to adopt this modern electric tram service.
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