Punjab to launch electric bus service in 91 tehsils from January 2027

The plan is being implemented under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, with the government aiming to expand cleaner public transport to more areas.

Dedicated electric bus depots have also been approved for each tehsil covered by the programme.

The first batch of buses for the tehsil-level service is expected to reach Lahore in January 2027.

3,000 electric buses targeted by June

The Punjab government has set an ambitious target of operating 3,000 electric buses across the province by June 2027. The first phase of the electric bus programme is targeted for completion by September, according to the provincial government.

The expansion is expected to increase access to public transport in areas where large-scale mass transit services are currently limited. The government has also approved additional buses for several districts to strengthen the existing network.

Where will the new buses operate?

Under the tehsil-level plan, Multan will receive 169 electric buses across nine tehsils.

Sahiwal will get 87 buses for four tehsils, while 215 buses are planned for 11 tehsils of Bahawalpur.

Dera Ghazi Khan will receive 63 buses across 10 tehsils.

Faisalabad is set to get 202 electric buses for 12 tehsils, while Sargodha will receive 198 buses for 14 tehsils.

The plan also includes 125 buses for seven tehsils of Gujranwala and 122 buses for eight tehsils of Gujrat.

Rawalpindi will receive 219 electric buses for 16 tehsils under the planned expansion.

Existing electric bus network expands

The Punjab government says 612 electric buses are already fully operational in different districts of the province. These buses are reportedly serving millions of citizens every day, providing an alternative to conventional public transport.

Another 192 electric buses are expected to become operational in different districts within the next few days. The additional buses include services planned for Multan and other areas where the government is expanding its electric transport network.

More districts to receive electric buses

The government plans to provide additional electric buses to Sargodha, Sahiwal, Faisalabad and Lahore.

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Muzaffargarh, Rawalpindi, Jhang, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Attock are also among the districts included in the expansion.

Electric bus services are also planned for Bhakkar, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Chiniot and Layyah.

Okara, Sialkot, Murree, Gujrat and Sheikhupura are also expected to receive additional services.

The expansion further covers Mandi Bahauddin, Vehari, Kasur, Lodhran, Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Gujranwala and Multan.

Government expands mass transit projects

The electric bus programme is part of Punjab’s wider plan to improve public transport and mass transit infrastructure. The provincial government says work on the Faisalabad and Gujranwala mass transit systems is progressing rapidly.

A separate project is also under way for the construction and rehabilitation of 25 stations on the Lahore Metrobus service. These projects are aimed at improving public transport facilities and making daily travel easier for residents of major cities and surrounding areas.

Focus on cleaner public transport

The shift towards electric buses is also aimed at promoting cleaner public transport in Punjab. Electric buses can help reduce dependence on conventional fuel-powered vehicles and may contribute to lower transport-related emissions.

For commuters, the expansion could provide more affordable and accessible transport options, particularly in tehsils that have fewer organised public transport services. However, the success of the programme will depend on the timely arrival of buses, completion of depots and availability of charging infrastructure.

What comes next?

The first major step is the arrival of the initial batch of electric buses in Lahore in January 2027. The government will then move towards launching services across the 91 selected tehsils.

With a target of 3,000 electric buses by June 2027, Punjab is preparing for a significant expansion of its public transport network. The addition of new buses to existing services could give millions of residents better access to public transport.