PESHAWAR
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif here Thursday said that Bus Rapid Project (BRT) was a landmark transport project of PTI Government benefiting over 60 million people since August 2020.
Addressing a press-conference regarding 2021 performance of BRT Peshawar here, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said after easing the pressure of corona-virus, the number of passengers has been significantly increased in BRT and over 60 million people were benefited from the service since its launch by the Prime Minister Imran Khan in August 2020 till to-date.
He said about 2,20,000 passengers were travelling in BRT on daily basis, adding around 50 million passengers have utilized the unique service this year despite lockdowns and travelling restrictions owing to enormous pressure of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prior to BRT, he said the number of women’s travelling ratio in Peshawar was less than two percent, which had now increased to over 20 percent after the launch of the service. Till to-date, he said over one million Zu cards have been distributed and 30 new buses were included in BRT’s fleet.
He said 349 old and dilapidated public transport buses and wagons have been scrapped and payment was made to its owners, adding the move was aimed to control air pollution and traffic jams in Peshawar.
Keeping in view of the overwhelming response of passengers, he said BRT’s express route have been increased and the unique ‘Zu Bicycle Sharing System, was launched under which 360 modern Zu bicycles were distributed among students and passengers besides establishment of 32 Docking Stations and starting of latest Zu Mobile Application Peshawar facilitating hundreds of thousands passengers daily.
The CM aide said that special seats were reserved for persons with disabilities, transgender and women under universal access system so that people of all walks of life are facilitated.
Under Green Vision of Pakistan, he said that 3,000 trees were planted by BRT’s administration in Peshawar to combat air pollution and launched special campaign to create awareness among people about coronavirus, polio and others issues.
Barrister Saif said Institute for Transportation and Development Fund (ITDF) has highly appreciated BRT service for its excellent role in improving people’s mobility, reducing transportation greenhouses and air pollution’s emissions. The CM’s aide said wining of Sustainable Transport Award 2022 by BRT Peshawar was a great honour for KP Government and Pakistan.
Muhammad Umair Khan, spokesman of Trans Peshawar while replying to a question said the number of total BRT buses is 220 out of which 158 are fully operational. He said the number of buses are being increased to reduce passengers rush.
Behramand Khan, Managing Director, KP Urban Mobility Authority (KPUMA) said that a high level committee has been set up to counter traffic congestion on its route. Under the second phase, he said BRT’s feeder routes would be extended to Khyber and Warsak Roads.
To a question, CM aide Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said PTI Government under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, have launched scores of welfare projects to bring positive changes in lives of masses.
He said Sehat Insaf Cards, Ehsas Education and Prime Minister’s Food Subsidy Program were landmark programs launched by the Government to provide maximum relief to people. He said Food Subsidy Program worth Rs 120 billion has been launched in Khyber Pakthunkhwa under which 30 percent discount on ghee/cooking oil, pulses and flour were being provided to consumers.
To a question about opposition’s slogans regarding riggings in LG elections, he said that raising of rigging allegations ahead of LG polls by opposition parties was tantamount to their defeat, which was written on the wall.
