LAHORE - Devising of an integrated transport policy is a major challenge before the Punjab government but the Metro-bus Transit System (MTS) Lahore from Kahna to Shahdara with estimated cost Rs20 billion is being considered a revolutionary step in the public sector transport system of the country.
The completion of 33 kilometres dedicated corridor for buses is expected in mid of 2013. The secured corridor located in the middle of the road emanate at Kahna in the south, and would lead to Shahdara towards the north via Ferozpur Road, Qartaba Chowk, Lytton Road, MAO College, Lower Mall, Data Darbar, Niazi Chowk and Old Ravi Bridge.
It has been learnt that the project would be completed in seven packages and is being taken as pilot project before the launching of MTSs in other big cities of the province. Work on the first package, from Yohana Abad to Kalma Chowk, is in progress. Package two comprises Kalma Chowk to Qartaba Chowk; package three Qartaba Chowk to MAO College; package four MAO College to Data Darbar; package five Data Darbar to Niazi Chowk; package six Niazi Chowk to Shahdara while the final package seven connects Yohana Abad to Kahna. Section from Data Darbar to Qartaba would be elevated to escape the congested area.
The deadline for the completion of two packages has been set October 2012.
“Transport integration is when different transport modes connect together, making journeys smoother and public transport more appealing. Better integration should result in more demand for public transport and should see people switching from private car use to public modes of transport, which should be more sustainable. It may also lead to a fall in congestion due to less road users riding motorcycles and vans,” said a transport engineer.
Pakistan has yet to develop an integrated transport policy which is needed for the success of any modern transport system, he held. It was learnt that the Punjab government is working on these lines.
“Electronic-ticketing would be introduced in the MTS and an integrated system is needed before the introduction of e-ticketing. The government will hire a third party to implement the e-ticketing system.”
“Major socioeconomic benefits of the project included; vehicles operating costs savings, decreased travel time and congestion, reduced accidents, smoother intra-city travel, preference of the use of bus over other forms of transport, increase in economic activities and employment and revenue from advertisements on the buses and platforms.”
About 29 stations would be established along the route, consisting of two bus lanes in 10 meters wide corridor on which two types of buses - 12 metre and 18 metres long- would ply. The round trip would be completed in 166 minutes and the duration also would include 10 minutes stay at the terminal points. Ramp elevators would be constructed and wheel chairs for the physically challenged and elderly people would be arranged. A sustainable plan for 24x7 x 365 supply of electricity in the 33km corridor has been also planned.