CDA to launch transport service within month

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has expedited its efforts to launch a decent transport facility within a month for residents of the capital with the public private partnership.

A CDA official said on Sunday that the CDA was planning to run 30 buses on Faizabad-Islamabad route to ensure “economical and respectable” journey for commuters shuttling between Faizabad and different sectors of the city.

The project could not be executed earlier due to various reasons. However, on the directive of the Prime Minister’s Task Force, CDA is now working to launch the project at the earliest with the help of private sector.

The authority could not opt for the private partnership earlier in the wake of the CDA Ordinance. However, amendments, signed by the prime minister, have been proposed to the ordinance to start the project. A final nod of the cabinet is needed to approve the amendments, the official said.

Most of the paperwork has been completed, while routes for the bus service are being re-assessed.

To a query, the official said the CDA had earlier announced to launch bus service via “most feasible option”.

“Due to shortage of compressed natural gas (CNG), the CDA may run diesel buses. However, nothing has been decided so far,” the official said.

Commuters, particularly students in the capital, have been facing problems due to shortage of public transport on different routes in the city.

Residents have been calling for a better transport service. The workers who come to Islamabad from rural areas, have to change more than one van and pay extra fares to reach their destinations.