PESHAWAR: TransPeshawar, the operator of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), on Saturday announced that it will launch a new mass transit route connecting Chamkani with Hayatabad via the southern Ring Road from Monday.
In a statement issued here, the mass transit operator said that the new BRT route called DR-17 will run from Chamkani depot to the Mall of Hayatabad.
‘The new route will extend public transport access to communities along Ring Road and provide a convenient travel option for residents, students and workers.
The addition of DR-17 will bring the total number of Zu Peshawar routes to 20, including 11 off-corridor feeder routes, the operator said.
It said that the route will comprise 27 stops, including Chamkani, Sardar Garhi, Chughal Pura, Pir Zakori Bridge, Cattle Mandi, Jameel Chowk, Shaheen Muslim Town, Hazarkhwani, Rehman Baba, DirColony, Khushal Town, Garhi Qamar Din, Bahadur Kalay, Umar Gul Road, Sarhad University, Akhund Mohammad Lunday, Pishtakhara Chowk, Northwest Institute, Khyber Kalay, Hadaf College, HBK Arena, PDA Toll Plaza, Hayatabad, Jahaaz Chowk, Hayatabad Phase 3, Bab-i-Peshawar and Mall of Hayatabad.
Services on DR-17 will begin at 7am from Chamkani and at 8.20am from the Mall of Hayatabad.
‘The service will operate until 7pm, with 15 buses initially serving the route at 15-minute intervals. It will provide a direct connection via the southern Ring Road, improving access to residential neighbourhoods, educational institutions and commercial areas along the route,’ it said.
The operator said that the launch of DR-17 was part of TransPeshawar’s continued efforts to expand public transport coverage and provide services that meet passengers’travelneeds.
Anwar Khan, a resident of Hazarkhwani, told Dawn that the southern Ring Road lacked proper public transport, which was causing great distress to the public.
He said that previously buses used to operate from Pir Zakori flyover to Hayatabad; however, this service was discontinued a couple of years ago.Mr Khan said that these days, only taxis and rickshaws operate on this route, with the three-wheelers indulging in reckless driving. On the other hand, taxis faced snatching and pickpocketing issues.
He said Ring Road also faced accidents due to a higher number of rickshaws, and the BRT service will reduce accidents too.
The resident said the launch of this service will greatly benefit people living on both sides of the Ring Road by easing the area’s transport problem.
Over the past few months, the mass transit has inducted 52 additional buses in its fleet, which now stands at 296.
In September, TransPeshawar also launched a dedicated Pink Bus Service comprising five buses to provide women with a safe, comfortable, and dignified travel option.
The pink bus service operates along the 21-kilometre corridor from Gulbahar Chowk to Karkhano Market, Monday to Friday, during morning, noon, and evening peak hours.
The route covers 18 stations, with buses operating at approximately 15-minute intervals. The initiative aims to particularly facilitate girls, working women, and other female passengers by improving their access to education, employment and daily activities.