Metro bus service sets new popularity records: Shahbaz

[Edevelop]

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that metro bus system has set new records of popularity since its inauguration. He said more than 75 thousand persons are travelling on metro bus daily which is a reflection of people trust in this modern transport system.

He said expectations of people have been fulfilled by this unique and historic transport project.

He said all steps are being taken to provide high quality facilities to commuters and more buses are being imported from Turkey so that maximum number of passengers could reach their destination on time.

The Chief Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting for reviewing the operational matters of metro bus system at Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Special Assistant Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmed Hasaan, Secretary Information, Managing Director Punjab Metro Bus Authority, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board, DG LDA, CTO, DGPR and other concerned officers were present.

Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that metro bus project has been vigorously appreciated at national and international levels, which has transformed the antiquated culture of public transport. He said a large number of passengers are travelling on metro buses and therefore more metro buses are being imported to facilitate passengers.

The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to import more buses from Turkey. He said a high quality management system should be ensured for the convenience of passengers, while traffic signals at metro bus routes should be made functional, along with ensuring foolproof security arrangements at metro bus route.

He directed traffic wardens to perform their duties diligently to avoid any accident, besides taking precautionary measures at intersections and installing barriers.

He said e-card is being introduced for travelling in metro buses which would be available at ticket booth, while the holder of the e-card would not have to get any token, enabling him to travel in accordance with his need.

The Chief Minister also directed concerned authorities to review construction of a hanging bridge at Chungi Amar Sidhu. During the meeting, the Chief Minister was given a detailed briefing about operational matters of metro buses.

 

[BATMAN]

PTI was saying this project is a fail?

Now, Punjab govt. is earning handsome revenue!

 

[SEAL]

PTI was saying this project is a fail?

Now, Punjab govt. is earning handsome revenue!

Do PTI leaders have any credibility? Let not worry about them.

SS with country manager of Asian Development Bank in Metro Bus.

 

[Developereo]

I hope this becomes even more successful and gets copied in other cities.

Buses are considered more economical to operate than subways or trains.

 

[rohailmalhi]

Even this project was finished in hurry and saying the money can be used to do better things But what i see is SS has re introduced the concept of mass transportation in Pakistan.

I think this project will be the start of many other similar projects . I dont know Y we people divide ourselves on the basis of Political ideologies . Shouldnt we appreciate the good things done by anyone for Pakistan and its people.He may be corrupt , he may have earned millions in this project but see the result people have world class transportation facility in Lahore.

Just like the credit for Rescue 1122 service and traffic wardens goes to Chaudry brothers .We should give SS the credit for starting this project.

PS: Give the credit where its is due and always criticze the thing positively not on the bases of political opposition .

 

[Jango]

I think the next stop for a project like this (if PML is in power) should be Rawalpindi, and federal government should follow suit and introduce a public transport system in Islamabad, it would be much better than those 40 year old vans and taxis currently doing the rounds in Islamabad.

 

[Devil Soul]

in my humble opinion any project started for the betterment of common people must be appreciated, regardless of political party affiliation, but guyz lets see if they continue to keep it this way after elections

 

[Tiger Awan]

last Friday some 108000 ppl travelled, this Tuesday 117658 people travelled on metro bus !!!! Success !!!!

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I have better idea , lets keep moving the election day by month for next 5 years so all these political parties will keep working hard to do stuff like metro project and other good stuff

FOR PUBLIC .. and not for their own selfish entities

 

[Rusty]

1. Why is Shabaz Sharif's picture in the photo?
Did he pay for it with his own money?
2. In a civilized country it takes about 5 years to think, plan and commit to a project of this scale. SS did it in 1 year. Either he is some kind of Super hero or he cut corners and did not do a feasibility study. (Problems with the system is already coming out)
3. For a city the size or Lahore an above ground metro system is a complete waste. You need an underground train system to be effective and viable. This kind of system would work very will in a city of less than 1 million people.
4. the service was started before the whole thing was completed? Why? And what about testing/training? Normally when a new system like this is finished, they test and train on it for 6 months to make sure everything is okay. Why did they rush to open this system without it even being completed and definitely not tested? (elections perhaps )
and finally 5. We have to look at how the system runs in the next year, 5 years and 10 years to see if it failed or succeeded.

My guess is that when a more competent government comes in, they will have to scrap this project and built an underground rail system.

 

[Tiger Awan]

scrap a successful ( revenue generating ) 30 billion project to build an under ground railway that will cost ..... 100s of billions

 

[zakriaarshad]

1. Why is Shabaz Sharif's picture in the photo?
Did he pay for it with his own money?
2. In a civilized country it takes about 5 years to think, plan and commit to a project of this scale. SS did it in 1 year. Either he is some kind of Super hero or he cut corners and did not do a feasibility study. (Problems with the system is already coming out)
3. For a city the size or Lahore an above ground metro system is a complete waste. You need an underground train system to be effective and viable. This kind of system would work very will in a city of less than 1 million people.
4. the service was started before the whole thing was completed? Why? And what about testing/training? Normally when a new system like this is finished, they test and train on it for 6 months to make sure everything is okay. Why did they rush to open this system without it even being completed and definitely not tested? (elections perhaps )
and finally 5. We have to look at how the system runs in the next year, 5 years and 10 years to see if it failed or succeeded.

My guess is that when a more competent government comes in, they will have to scrap this project and built an underground rail system.

Of course there will also be worms in holes of that government which will scrap public property......

 

[Edevelop]

1. Why is Shabaz Sharif's picture in the photo?
Did he pay for it with his own money?
2. In a civilized country it takes about 5 years to think, plan and commit to a project of this scale. SS did it in 1 year. Either he is some kind of Super hero or he cut corners and did not do a feasibility study. (Problems with the system is already coming out)
3. For a city the size or Lahore an above ground metro system is a complete waste. You need an underground train system to be effective and viable. This kind of system would work very will in a city of less than 1 million people.
4. the service was started before the whole thing was completed? Why? And what about testing/training? Normally when a new system like this is finished, they test and train on it for 6 months to make sure everything is okay. Why did they rush to open this system without it even being completed and definitely not tested? (elections perhaps )
and finally 5. We have to look at how the system runs in the next year, 5 years and 10 years to see if it failed or succeeded.

My guess is that when a more competent government comes in, they will have to scrap this project and built an underground rail system.

You cannot jump from tanga to underground metro. Thats unrealistic. Also, it would have cost us more than $2 billion, a figure if converted into rupees, would be off the charts.

The Feasibility done in this project is perfect. In the 90s Shahbaz Sharif brought the Japanese and this they recommended this green line. Some 2 years ago or so, he brought the Chinese, who said the same thing. As you have known, Turkey is the current technical partner. Whatever is here today is backed by countries who have experience in public transportation.

Just so you know, cities around the world have like multiple public transportation systems and Lahore having one of them with only 1 line is just a start. Having created this project in less than a year is a big achievement. Naturally, the more you delay, costs would increase. Keep labour costs from time to time, resources, and paper planning in your mind.

Since you live in Canada, you should probably be familiar with the pace and quality of construction. There is one underpass being built in my town. I have been watching its construction from the last 1 - 1.5 years and its still unfinished. If it was in Lahore, it would have been ready in 2-3 months max. There is no way a city like Toronto can do anything good. Despite the fact that its part of a developed country, therefore being rich, it would unfortunately take 10 years for a new subway line to expand. Many trams and buses are old and built by an unknown company. If you have to catch a Go bus or train, your average waiting time would be 10-20 min and maybe more depending on rush hour/ traffic/ weather. Canada is the worst example to follow. cities are designed poorly as they are sprawled and people are dependent on automobiles even if it is just to go out and buy milk. Why on earth would some here use public transport when fuel price is $1.25 per litre, many times cheaper ? It is a lie when they say they are 'environment friendly'.

 

[Abingdonboy]

1. Why is Shabaz Sharif's picture in the photo?
Did he pay for it with his own money?
2. In a civilized country it takes about 5 years to think, plan and commit to a project of this scale. SS did it in 1 year. Either he is some kind of Super hero or he cut corners and did not do a feasibility study. (Problems with the system is already coming out)
3. For a city the size or Lahore an above ground metro system is a complete waste. You need an underground train system to be effective and viable. This kind of system would work very will in a city of less than 1 million people.
4. the service was started before the whole thing was completed? Why? And what about testing/training? Normally when a new system like this is finished, they test and train on it for 6 months to make sure everything is okay. Why did they rush to open this system without it even being completed and definitely not tested? (elections perhaps )
and finally 5. We have to look at how the system runs in the next year, 5 years and 10 years to see if it failed or succeeded.

My guess is that when a more competent government comes in, they will have to scrap this project and built an underground rail system.

Is this true? The entire project went from idea to start of service in a year?? If so, then yes there is a serious likelihood of there being fundamental flaws and deficiencies in the service as it takes much more time to plan and crunch data for such projects. And then starting a service before construction is even finished is a big no-no.

The picture you paint certainly points to this being nothing more than a political stunt.

 

[khail007]

In last five years, at least a positive project from PLM(N) in Punjab. We pray that others all parties may also follow that lead for the relief of general public.