Karachi announces double-decker and electric bus routes for 2026

The Sindh government has announced the routes for newly imported double-decker and electric vehicle (EV) buses, which will start running in Karachi from January 2026.

According to reports, five diesel double-decker buses will operate on Shahrah-e-Faisal, traveling from Model Colony to Tower and back. This route was selected because a large number of people travel on it every day.

Karachi will see double-decker buses for the first time in nearly 60 to 70 years. Sindh Mass Transit Authority (SMTA) Managing Director Kanwal Nizam Bhutto said that each double-decker bus can carry 115 to 120 passengers and will be fully air-conditioned.

She added that these buses have convertible roofs. The roof can be opened in pleasant weather and closed during hot or rainy conditions, making travel more comfortable for passengers.

In addition to the double-deckers, the government will introduce 34 EV buses on new routes across the city. One of the planned routes is from Gulshan-e-Maymar to Tower. The Peoples Bus Service will also be expanded to upper Sindh cities, including Hyderabad, Khairpur, Sukkur, and Shikarpur.

In total, the Sindh government has imported 39 buses, including five double-deckers and 34 EV buses, at a cost of Rs3 billion. These buses are expected to receive clearance soon from the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

The new bus services will be inaugurated by Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Reports suggest this launch is part of the first phase, with more buses likely to be added in the future, including electric double-decker buses.

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