Responding to a dire public transport crisis in Karachi, the interim government of Sindh has unveiled an ambitious plan to revamp the city’s transportation infrastructure. This move comes in response to a World Bank report highlighting a substantial shortfall of approximately 13,000 buses required to establish a comprehensive public transport system in the metropolis.
In a comprehensive briefing by the Sindh Transport Department, proposed projects aimed at bridging this transport gap were presented to Muhammad Younus Dagha, the Caretaker Provincial Minister of Finance, Revenue, and Planning and Development.
The World Bank report emphasized the necessity of acquiring 15,000 buses to create an effective public transport network in Karachi. Currently, the city operates a mere 1,029 buses, comprising 240 under the People’s Bus Service, 100 in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, and 689 aging buses operated by the private sector. To bolster the public transport network, a feasibility study is underway to acquire an additional 500 buses.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Minister Younus Dagha stressed the critical role of public-private partnerships in addressing Karachi’s transportation woes. He highlighted the importance of encouraging experienced private transporters to play a more substantial role in the city’s transport sector.
Moreover, Minister Dagha directed the Secretary of Transport to develop a framework for providing easily accessible loans to private operators for bus procurement. He emphasized the need to maintain low-interest rates on these loans to incentivize the acquisition of new buses.
One notable proposal emerging from the briefing involved establishing an endowment fund to offer soft loans to experienced local transporters for the purchase of public transport buses. These buses would be registered under the Sindh government’s name until transporters complete their loan payments.
The consensus among participants in the briefing was that these measures would enable local transporters to access affordable loans, thus enhancing the quality of public transport services in Karachi. This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the pressing need for additional buses in the city.
Under the leadership of Caretaker Minister Muhammad Younus Dagha, the interim Sindh government is taking proactive steps to improve public transportation in Karachi. The proposed projects and loan facilities are expected to increase the number of buses on the city’s roads and elevate the overall quality and accessibility of public transport services, ultimately benefiting Karachi’s residents.
