Sindh Plans 1,000 EV Buses, Karachi Taxi and Double-Decker Rollout

KARACHI: The Sindh government has unveiled an expanded public transport plan that includes the phased induction of 1,000 electric buses, an electric taxi service and additional double-decker buses. The decisions were announced on Tuesday following a meeting of the provincial Transport and Mass Transit Department chaired by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.

Under the schedule presented at the meeting, the government intends to launch its EV taxi service in September. Karachi is also expected to receive 50 more double-decker buses in October, while the larger fleet of electric buses will begin entering the public transport network in phases before the end of the year.

Officials reviewed several ongoing mass-transit schemes and discussed measures aimed at expanding affordable transport within Karachi and other parts of Sindh. The meeting also decided to introduce new Peoples Bus Service routes connecting Larkana with Qambar and Qambar with Shahdadkot, extending organised public transport to additional districts.

Sharjeel Memon said the provincial administration remained committed to providing residents with modern, safe and environmentally friendly travel facilities. He directed the relevant departments and project teams to maintain construction timelines and accelerate work on infrastructure required to support the growing bus network.

The meeting also considered progress on Karachi’s Red Line Bus Rapid Transit project, including the construction of its depots. Officials were instructed to complete the facilities within the agreed period, while a section of the mixed-traffic lane on University Road is planned to be opened in September to improve movement through the heavily travelled corridor.

Karachi has faced a long-running shortage of dependable mass transit, leaving millions of commuters reliant on motorcycles, private vehicles, informal minibuses and costly ride-hailing services. Successive provincial transport projects have added new buses and routes, but passenger demand continues to exceed the capacity of the available system.

The planned electric fleet is intended to increase capacity while reducing dependence on conventional fuel. Electric buses can also contribute to lower roadside emissions and quieter urban travel, although their successful operation will require adequate charging infrastructure, trained maintenance teams, reliable electricity supplies and properly managed depots.

The EV taxi initiative could create another regulated transport option for residents while encouraging broader adoption of electric mobility. Its impact will depend on fare structures, route coverage, vehicle availability and whether the service remains affordable for everyday commuters rather than serving only a limited segment of passengers.

For Karachi, the addition of double-decker and electric buses could ease pressure on overcrowded routes and provide alternatives to private transport. The wider provincial rollout may also improve access to employment, education and healthcare in districts where organised bus services remain limited.

Attention will now shift to procurement, delivery schedules and the completion of supporting infrastructure. The government will face pressure to translate the announcement into operational vehicles on the roads, publish clear route plans and ensure that the new fleet is maintained consistently after its phased introduction.