The Reasons Behind Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Project
Population Growth of The Capital
The capital city of Pakistan “Islamabad” is the ninth largest city in the country. The population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.30 million in 2012. Since its foundation, Islamabad has attracted people from all over Pakistan, making it one of the most cosmopolitan and urbanized cities of Pakistan and center of economic and service activities which attract people from all over the country.
Population Growth of Rawalpindi
Adjacent to the Southern edge of Islamabad lies the city of Rawalpindi. t is situated in the North Eastern part of the Potohar Plateau in North Punjab. Being Headquarter of Rawalpindi Division and a close neighbor of the Federal Capital, Islamabad, the population of Rawalpindi City has rapidly increased over the years.
Traffic Burden on Murree Road
Murree Road is one of the busiest and most preferred link between the twin cities due to its shorter length and direct approach. During the last few years there has been an unprecedented increase in vehicular traffic in the city, especially along Murree Road, resulting in severe traffic congestion on this route. This congestion causes excessive delays, environmental pollution and associated socio-economic problems for the daily commuters. Public transport is one of the major contributors in the traffic mix and the quality of service being provided is of poor standard.
Future Requirements of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area
The greater Islamabad – Rawalpindi Metropolitan Area is the third largest conurbation in Pakistan with a population of over 4.5 million inhabitants. The Twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi are growing at a rate of more than 4 percent per anum, indicating a higher than national growth due to significant migration. With present growth trends it is expected that the population would increase to 7.0 million in twenty years’ time. Since both cities have grown into each other, significant amount of commuting takes place between the two cities.
Requirement of Urban Bus Transport Service
Currently private transport is the major means of mobility between two cities comprising of Mazda, Toyota Hiace, and Suzuki vans plying on various routes within and between the two cities. There is no organized urban bus transport service operating in the city and between cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Level of service offered by the minibuses is far below any acceptable standard. Traffic volumes of over 210,000 vehicles ply on three major corridors connecting both the cities carrying around 525,000 passengers. It is estimated that public transport demand of around 153,000 passengers is available on daily basis between the two cities. Interestingly this passenger demand is concentrated around a corridor which is of high density and strategically located to provide for reasonable patronage for a rapid transit system.
Joint decision by The Federal and Provisional Governments
Based on studies conducted by Government of Punjab and Capital Development Authority, the two governments (Federal & Provincial) 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 19thJanuary 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 (RDA) as the single executing agency for both parts of the project. It will work in close coordination with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the Islamabad Part of the project. Punjab Metrobus Authority (PMA) will control the operation & maintenance of the project after its completion. PMA will also coordinate with CDA at O&M stage of the project.
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