Balochistan has launched the Jinnah Peoples Metro Train Service in Quetta, with the provincial government offering free travel to senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi inaugurated the service on Tuesday.
Bugti said the service marks Balochistan’s first metro train service and will provide Quetta residents with safe, comfortable and affordable transportation. He said the service will particularly benefit workers, students, professionals and other residents.
The provincial government will allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities to travel free of charge, while other passengers will pay subsidized fares.
Bugti said the government plans to add a second train so that services can eventually operate in both directions. He also said work has started on extending the railway track toward Bostan Industrial Estate, while the government is considering future extensions toward Pishin, Bostan and Mastung.
The chief minister said the initial plan involved importing engines and coaches from China at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 billion to Rs. 60 billion, with completion expected to take three to four years.
However, following a proposal from Abbasi, the government decided to manufacture the new engines and coaches through Pakistan Railways. Bugti said the decision would save time and resources while utilizing the capacity of the national railway institution.
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