Karachi: The second modern mass transit service in Karachi named after the late renowned philanthropist, Abdul Sattar Edhi, was launched on Saturday by Sindh Information and Transport Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Faisal Edhi, son of late Edhi, who now runs the non-profit Edhi Foundation, was present at the ceremony along with Sindh Labour Minister, Saeed Ghani. The launch ceremony was kept low-key due to the flood disaster in the country.
Twenty modern buses have started operating on the Edhi Line section of Bus Rapid Transit Service (BRTS) for providing connectivity from the Orangi Town area to Nazimabad in Karachi. The service is expected serve up to 50,000 passengers daily.
The fully air-conditioned buses have automatic doors, a free Wi-Fi facility, security cameras, USB charging ports, a fire-fighting system and space reserved for differently-abled persons.
The Line provides connectivity with the Green Line bus service already operational in Karachi since last year.
Fare capped at Rs20
The transport minister told journalists that passengers on the service would pay a maximum fare of Rs20 which was very reasonable keeping in view the phenomenal hike in fuel prices.
He said the service is a gift for the people of Karachi.
He said the BRTS facility was gradually being expanded to fully modernise public transportation services in Karachi on a par with international standards.
The government had released Rs1.5 billion for the improvement of the road networks in the city after heavy monsoon rain..
Faisal Edhi hailed the government for completing the new mass transit facility named after his father.
He urged the provincial authorities to launch such modern bus service in other parts of the city.
