Rawalpindi to Islamabad Express Metro Bus Service Discontinued Permanently

The Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) has discontinued an express metro bus service, which connected Saddar in Rawalpindi to the Pakistan Secretariat in Islamabad with just seven stops, due to limited funds. However, the decision has been met with a lot of criticism as commuters argued that the ‘non-stop’ bus service saved them at least 20 minutes of travel time compared to the regular bus service with 24 stops.

PMA General Manager Operations Uzair Shah explained that out of 68 vehicles, seven metro buses were assigned to the express project. Despite an initially positive response, the express service proved financially unsustainable, leading to a shift back to the regular bus service. Now, all metro buses will stop at all 24 bus stations between Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Shah mentioned that the 6th Road bus station is expected to become functional on February 3 after minor work completion. The delay might be linked to the divisional administration’s decision to hold a ‘special function’ for the station’s inauguration, attended by Caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi. However, challenges arose as the administration struggled to secure dates for the chief minister’s availability in the garrison city, contributing to the delay.