Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus
The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is a bus rapid transit system operating in the Islamabad Rawalpindi metropolitan area of Pakistan. The Metrobus network’s first phase was opened on 4 June 2015, and stretches 22 kilometres between Pak Secretariat, in Islamabad, and Saddar in Rawalpindi. The second stage is currently under construction, and stretched 25.6 kilometres between the Peshawar Morr Interchange and New Islamabad International Airport. The system uses e-ticketing and an Intelligent Transportation System, and is managed by the Punjab Mass Transit Authority.
History
Based on studies conducted Government of Punjab and Capital Development Authority, the two governments joined hands to launch a Metro Bus project to connect the twin cities and alleviate the traffic congestion on this corridor. In a meeting held in Lahore on 19 January 2014, co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chief Minister of Punjab, it was decided that the project shall be funded on 50:50 sharing basis by the Federal Government & Government of the Punjab. As the Punjab Government has already completed successfully a similar Metro Bus project in Lahore, Prime Minister of Pakistan decided that the Provincial Government will execute this project through Rawalpindi Development Authority as the single executing agency for both parts of the project. It will work in close coordination with the Capital Development Authority for the Islamabad Part of the project. Punjab Metrobus Authority will control the operation & maintenance of the project after its completion. PMA will also coordinate with CDA at O&M stage of the project.Construction
Construction of the bus rapid transit system began on 28 February 2014 and was completed by June 2015, with 60 buses initially plying on the route. The Rawalpindi Development Authority was tasked with overlooking the project with a cost of approximately, which was between the federal government and the Punjab provincial government. The initial date of inauguration was set for 28 February 2015, but was delayed work in construction of drainage channels. Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Metrobus on 4 June 2015. Even after the service launch of the metro bus service, the issues regarding the drainage of rainwater still remained unfinished resulting in the inundation of the underground bus stations during monsoon rains. However, rainfall in the area was above normal throughout the year resulting in greater delay during construction. The project was initially divided into five packages, where Package-1 consisted of flyovers, bridges and pedestrian underpasses. The project was started on 23 April 2014 and was completed on 27 March 2015 incurring a total cost of as quoted by the contractor of the project. The construction project was awarded to Habib Construction Services which is one of the largest construction companies of Pakistan and have worked on several other mega projects previously.Lines
| Line | Length | Opening year | Route | Number of stations | Journey time | Notes |
| 2015 | Pak Secretariat-Saddar | 24 | Every 4–8 minutes during daytime hours | |||
| 25.6 km | 2020 | Peshawar Morr-Airport | 14 |
Ticketing and fares
The system uses e-ticketing and Intelligent Transportation System wand. The system is managed by the Punjab Metrobus Authority with the IT part is being carried out in coordination with Punjab IT Board. Functional elements at the stations include ticketing booths, concourse level passenger transfer, escalators, platform screen. toliterities, doors turnstiles for automatic fare collection and all other amenities for passenger convenience. A central ITS control room is also included in the project to control the whole operation of the Metro Bus system.Fleet
The current fleet consists of 68 articulated 18-meter-long high-floor buses. These buses were imported and supplied by VPL Limited from the China-based company Sunwin Bus, which is a Joint-Venture formed between SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and Sweden-based Volvo Bus Company, VPL Limited also happens to be the sole after-sales distributor for both Volvo Buses and Sunwin Buses in Pakistan, among other products.Controversies and Under Utilization
The major controversy appeared after the first rainy season in Rawalpindi, it was a shock that project that costed millions of rupees, didn't even have a basic drainage system. Similarly cracks appeared after minor earthquake in Rawalpindi, raised question marks over material used in the project.The long term financial model to run the project and under utilization is serious controversy surrounding project. The reports showed that although 150,000 passenger were expected, but the project was unable to produce over 80,000 passengers in long run. It became utmost difficult for management to afford fuel costs of 68 buses, and only 35 buses were utilized. This produced jamming and rush during peak travelling hours.
Another serious controversy surrounding project, is its annual loss, according to official numbers a single bus trip costs 9,100 PKRs while it earns only 2,600 PKRs incurring loss of 6,500 PKRs each trip. The huge subsidy contributes Rs 2 billion loss every year, however, raising the cost of ticket, may result in total loss of already dropping passengers. After heavy loans accumulated on Punjab govt. in paying subsidies, it was decided in 2016, to divide the load between Punjab govt. and Capital Development Authority on the basis of length in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. However, CDA refused to pay for losses of Metro bus attributing to lack of funds in 2016. Federal govt. provided funds to CDA to shoulder the burden of Punjab Metro authority in 2016. However, in 2017 the problem surfaced again, raising question marks on long term losses and financial burden of under utilized project.