RAWALPINDI: Two new projects will be launched in the garrison city to resolve traffic issues - launching new bus services on 10 routes and digitising the public transport system.

Moreover, owners of public transport have been asked to get fitness certificates otherwise they will not be allowed to operate on any road.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema told Dawn that the district administration had made mandatory for the public transport vehicles to get fitness certificates from Vehicle Inspection and Certificate System (VICS) centre at Rawat.

“As many as 1335 vehicles of public transport got fitness certificates from Vehicle Inspection and Certificate System (VICS) centre at Rawat in one week which is highest number of verification in the garrison city,” he said. He said that RTA issued fitness certificates from August 30 to September 6 to 1,335 public transport vehicles.

He said that a special campaign had been launched against unfit vehicles and vehicles plying without route permits. He said that during the last one week, 200 public transport vehicles were impounded, 210 challans issued and Rs405,000 fines imposed on unfit vehicles and those who failed to get route permits.

He said that all transport unions had welcomed the campaign against unfit vehicles. After impounding vehicles, owners are directed to get their vehicles tested from state-of-the-art Vehicle Inspection and Certification System.

Currently, he said VICS was in dire need which will not only reduce road accidents and protect the passengers but will also contribute to the reduction of smog and environmental pollution.

Further, he said that directions have been issued to all uninspected vehicles to get inspection done from the VICS centre. Apart from this, Mr Cheema said that the garrison city will get a digitised public transport system, the first of its kind in the country.

He said that the basic aim of the project to digitise the transport was to further facilitate commuters and provide citizens with a comfortable travel experience. He said that the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) was developing the software for the first ever digital public transport system in Rawalpindi and a team from the board also visited the city.

The deputy commissioner said that in the first phase Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners will be installed at Pirwadhai Bus Terminal. Later, it will be installed in all private bus stands.

“This system will gather complete data of vehicles, including the vehicle’s registration number, colour, owner’s name, fitness certificate details, driver’s licence, route permit and tracking system,” he said.

He said over 100 buses will ply on 10 routes of Rawalpindi city to help people reach the metro bus stations. In this regard, the PC-I has been sent to the Punjab government which is likely to be approved in a week or two.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024