A recent World Bank report has shed light on Karachi’s pressing need for a comprehensive public transport system. The report highlights a significant deficit, revealing that the city requires a total of 15,000 buses to establish an efficient transportation network.
Currently, a mere 1,029 buses are operational in Karachi, comprising 240 from the People’s Bus Service, 100 from the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and 689 older buses managed by the private sector.
In response to this glaring shortfall, plans are in motion to acquire an additional 500 buses for the province. The report emphasizes the necessity of introducing 13,000 more public transport buses to bridge this wide gap.
To tackle the issue, the caretaker provincial minister of finance, revenue, and planning and development in Sindh, Muhammad Younus Dagha, has proposed encouraging private sector involvement through public-private partnership projects.
The transport department is exploring various options, including facilitating easy loans for local private transporters through an endowment fund, possibly at zero interest rates, and offering soft loans to local transporters for bus purchases.
These initiatives aim to alleviate Karachi’s transportation woes and enhance mobility for its residents.
