Islamabad Metro Bus System

Rawalpindi-Islamabad-Metrobus-system

Construction of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus began on February 28, 2014 and its expected to be completed by January 2015, with 60 buses initially plying on the route. The Rawalpindi Development Authority is overlooking the project with a cost of approximately Rs 34 billion, which will be shared by both the Federal government and the provincial government of Punjab. The expected date of inauguration is February 28, 2015.

Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus Route has one dedicated line along with 24 total number of stations on its way. It is expected to facilitate at least 150,000 daily riders between Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus Route Map

islamabad-rawalpindi-metrobus-route map

Metro Bus inauguration on 4th June 2015

Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif proudly inaugurated the mega project of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service here on Thursday. Metro Bus service is a gift to the people of twin cities as it is an economical, comfortable and hassle free travelling facility.

Update: Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro bus service inaugurated by PM Nawaz Sharif.

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Chairman Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Metro Bus Service (MBS) Project, Monitoring and Implementation Committee Hanif Abbasi has said that the government was determined to start the bus service in the shortest possible time to provide modern travel facilities to the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

He said that the 24-kilometre Metro Bus Service will be signal free and the project is in final stages. He said that the contractors were trying hard to complete construction work on the project, including bus stations, in the shortest possible time. He said that the completion date of the project has been extended for another two weeks as work on Pakage-II of Rawalpindi Section would take more time.

He said work on all other packages in Rawalpindi and Islamabad is almost complete. While 30 per cent work on the Rawalpindi?s Package-II still remains to be done.

Rawalpindi-Islamabad, MBS project is a mega scheme which would be completed in record period of 10 months within in scheduled period, he said, adding that if there were no sit-ins by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad, the project would have been over in December 2014.

According to Commissioner Rawalpindi Division and Metro Bus Project Director Zahid Saeed, the pace of work of the project would be reviewed in a meeting on January 30.

Maximum construction work has been completed on Package I, III and IV, but construction work on Package II and V was slow but now, the contractors are trying hard to complete the construction work, he said.

He said a bus depot have been constructed on 17 acre land near Peshawar Morr, where buses coming from Karachi would be parked. The commissioner further said that the Metro Bus Authority (MBA) has started hiring staff, including drivers, conductors and others for the bus service.

The authorities concerned had got published advertisements in this regard, he said. The MBS Project, which includes a signal-free interchange at Peshawar Morr, is being completed with the objective of providing an international standard mass transit system to the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. March 23 is the final date for completion of construction work on the Peshawar Morr Interchange, he said.

According to Metro Bus Project Deputy Director Hafiz Mohammad Irfan, as many as 40 buses will reach Rawalpindi from Karachi in couple of days as the buses are being brought through special trailers, however, the Metro Bus Service (MBS) will be launched in mid-February as the completion of the project would take another two weeks for completion.

He said buses for MBS are being brought from Sweden. About 40 buses have reached in Pakistan, while the remaining are expected to reach within few days.

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Travel Cards & Tokens

To avail Metrobus services, every passenger must carry a valid ticket (fare media). However, infants ride for free. Passengers have the choice of purchasing two types of RFID-based fare media/tickets:

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  1. Single-ride tokens that are deposited/returned at the exit platform
  2. Multi-journey Metrobus cards, that are retained by the passenger

A brief overview along with short videos on purchase and use of Metrobus fare media are as follows:

Single-ride Tokens

Tokens can be purchased from the on-station ticket office or obtained via the self-service Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) installed at each Metrobus station. There is no security deposit for obtaining single-ride tokens, however, the applicable fare has to be deposited at the ticket office or TVM to obtain tokens.

Tokens are to be tapped at the entry turnstile on the platform, retained during the journey, and deposited into the exit turnstile while exiting the platform.

Multi-Journey Metrobus Cards

The Metrobus Cards are durable, credit-card sized, and based on secure RFID technology. These cards can be purchased from the ticket office at each Metrobus Station, for a refundable security deposit of Rs. 133 – provided the card is returned in proper working condition.

People with valid Metrobus cards with adequate balance, can proceed directly to the platforms at each station, without having to stand in line every time to purchase single-ride tokens.

Travellers can recharge Metrobus cards up to a maximum balance of Rs. 1,000, via the self-service Ticket Vending Machine installed at each station, or from the on-station ticket sales offices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the bus service hours of operation?

6:15 AM – 10:00 PM, Seven days a week.

How do I use the Metrobus Service?

To use the Metrobus service, passengers have the choice of purchasing single-ride tokens from the ticket office at each Metrobus Station, or purchasing a Metrobus Card and recharging it with the desired amount of travel credit.

Alternatively, each station has been provisioned with self-service Ticket Vending Machine (TVM). Passengers can use the TVMs themselves to deposit amount and obtain tokens from the TVM.

Platforms at each Metrobus Station provide gated entry and exit via turnstiles. The turnstiles enable passengers with valid Tokens and Metrobus Cards to enter and exit the platforms.

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What are single-ride tokens?

Single-ride tokens enable travellers to use the Metrobus service for a single journey via the Metrobus corridor.

Travellers are required to tap the token on the turnstile validator while entering platforms at each MBS station, to carry the token during the ride, and to deposit the token in the turnstile upon exiting the platform.

What are Metrobus Cards?

As an added facility for travellers, the Metrobus Service supports the use of RFID-based Metrobus cards that can be purchased from the ticket office at each station.

Travellers who carry the Metrobus smartcard can proceed directly to the platforms at each station and board the bus – rather than standing in line every time to purchase single-ride tokens.

To enter the platforms at each MBS station, passengers simply need to tap their smartcard on the turnstile validator, and if there is sufficient balance (minimum needed for one journey), the validator enables entry.

How much does a Metrobus Card cost?

Passengers can obtain Metrobus cards from the ticket office at every MBS station, after making a security deposit of Rs. 133.

Passengers can return the Metrobus cards at designated stations along the Metrobus corridor, and reclaim the security deposit – as long as the Cards are returned in proper working condition.

How do I recharge my smartcard?

After purchasing a Metrobus Smartcard, passengers can load desired amount (up to Rs. 1000 max balance), on the card.

Passengers can pay at the ticket office and have the ticket office staff transfer the paid amount onto their Metrobus Card, or use the self-service Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) installed at every station to make the transaction themselves.

The card recharge process, hardly takes a few seconds.

What if my Metrobus Card is stolen or lost?

There is no refund if the Metrobus Card is stolen or lost. Passengers are advised to take care of the card.

What if my Metrobus Card malfunctions or breaks?

Please contact the ticket sales office on Metrobus Stations in case your card malfunctions. The ticket office staff shall check the card for problems and replace it free of charge, if the problem is verified to be an issue with the functioning of the Metrobus Card.

You can return your broken card at designated service points, and purchase a new one. If there is existing balance on the broken card, it will be transferred to your new card.

How much time do I have for entry and exit at the turnstile bay?

To facilitate passengers and to maintain effective bus schedules, it is critical that entry and exit at each platform is managed efficiently. Once a passenger taps his or her Metrobus Card or Token on the turnstile validator, the turnstile allows a maximum of 30 seconds to the passenger for passing through. This time limit is important in order to make passenger flows and bus schedules predictable and streamlined.

Please note that journey fare is deducted in case the passenger does not pass through the turnstile within 30 seconds of tapping their Metrobus Card or token.

Are all stations monitored (via CCTV)?

Yes.

Is there any parking available at Metrobus stations? Where should I park my bike/car if I want to travel through MBS?

PMA is establishing car and bike parking lots at Shahdara and Gajjumata Terminals. Additional parking places will also be added over time.

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Metro Bus News

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