The Punjab government has finalised a comprehensive free transport plan for citizens during Basant celebrations in Lahore, aiming to ease congestion and facilitate smooth mobility across the city.
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The Lahore Division Commissioner has approved the initiative, under which residents will be able to travel free of cost on Metro Bus services and the Orange Line Metro Train throughout the festivities.
According to the Commissioner, the Punjab Mass Transit Authority, Punjab Transport Company and private ride-hailing firms will jointly provide free transportation. In addition, buses from government colleges and universities have been requisitioned to support the large influx of commuters during Basant.
Under the plan, free transport services will operate on 24 routes citywide. A total of 228 buses will run on Lahore’s feeder routes, while 64 Metro Bus Service vehicles will also offer complimentary travel. Furthermore, 54 buses from government colleges and 73 buses from universities will be deployed.
Officials estimate that the Orange Line Metro Train will carry around 250,000 passengers daily. The Metro Bus service from Gajjumata to Shahdara is expected to provide free travel to approximately 87,000 people per day, while feeder routes will accommodate another 127,000 commuters daily.
Several dedicated routes have been announced, including Rana Town to Railway Station, RA Bazar to Chungi, Bhatti Chowk to Shadbagh, Depot Chowk to Chungi, and Canal to Jinnah Terminal. Additional routes such as Railway Station to Gulshan-e-Ravi, Wahdat Road to Qurtaba Chowk, RA Bazar to Nasser Bagh, Purana Kahna to RA Bazar, Bhatti Chowk to RA Bazar, and Jinnah Bus Terminal to BRB Canal will also remain operational.
Overall, authorities aim to provide free bus transport to nearly 516,000 people daily. In addition, 5,000 privately operated rickshaws will be branded and deployed to offer complimentary rides during the Basant celebrations.
