State Minister for Railways and Finance, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, took a hands-on approach to assess public transport in Jhelum by personally traveling on an electric bus. His journey from the Jada Bus Stop to Civil Hospital Jhelum provided a firsthand review of the newly implemented fare structure and subsidy program.
Free Rides for Key Groups, Minimal Fare for Youth
During his commute, the Minister detailed the special subsidies designed to offer relief to citizens. On the specific directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the E-bus service is completely free for students, women, and senior citizens over 60 years of age. For the youth, the government has set a highly subsidized fare of just 20 PKR per ride. Commuters on the route expressed significant satisfaction with this policy, calling it a major help in the face of current inflationary pressures.
Fleet Expansion and Daily Oversight Directed
To build on the initiative's success, State Minister Kiyani announced that more electric buses will be added to the Jhelum fleet soon. This expansion aims to extend the affordable transit facility to cover all major routes within the city. He emphasized that the electric bus service is not just a transport solution but a revolutionary step towards conserving fuel and protecting the environment.
Kiyani issued clear instructions to the local administration, directing them to ensure daily monitoring of bus routes and cleanliness standards. This oversight is crucial to guarantee a seamless and comfortable travel experience for the primary beneficiaries: women, students, and elderly passengers. He assured the public that service quality would be continuously improved based on passenger feedback, aligning with the Chief Minister's broader mission for public welfare.
Vocational Training Initiative Launched
Alongside the transport review, the minister was briefed on city beautification projects and the performance of the 'Suthra Punjab' mechanism. In a related development focusing on youth empowerment, Deputy Commissioner Jhelum Mir Reza Ozgen informed the media about a new vocational training program. A special initiative offering training in computer programming, software, and hardware has been launched at the Tahlian Wala Vocational Training Institute. This program, part of the Chief Minister's special initiatives, is designed to equip young people with modern, marketable skills. The officer confirmed that free admissions are being offered to interested youth at the institute.
The minister's visit underscored a multi-faceted governance approach, combining immediate public relief through transport subsidies with long-term investments in youth skill development and urban improvement.
