Quetta Metro Train Service Begins, Free Travel Announced for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi have formally inaugurated the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta.
The new service aims to provide residents of the provincial capital with a safer, more comfortable and affordable public transport option.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Mir Liaquat Ali Lehri, provincial ministers, members of the Balochistan Assembly, Pakistan Railways officials, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakil Qadir Khan and other government representatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the metro train was the first service of its kind in Balochistan and would provide convenient transportation to students, workers, professionals and other citizens.
He also announced that senior citizens and persons with disabilities would be able to travel on the service free of charge. Other passengers will be charged subsidised fares to keep the service affordable for the public.
The chief minister said the provincial government was planning to expand the operation to two trains in the future. This would allow trains to operate from both directions and improve connectivity for passengers.
According to Bugti, work has also started on extending the railway track towards the Bostan Industrial Estate. The government is considering further expansion of the service towards Pishin, Bostan and Mastung.
The chief minister said an earlier proposal involved importing engines and coaches from China at an estimated cost of Rs50 billion to Rs60 billion. Under that plan, the project was expected to take around three to four years to complete.
However, following a proposal from Federal Minister Hanif Abbasi, the government decided to have new engines and coaches manufactured through Pakistan Railways.
Bugti said the decision would help save time and resources while also making better use of the capabilities and infrastructure of Pakistan Railways.
