The Punjab government has rolled out a significant initiative aimed at providing accessible and affordable transportation for students, disabled individuals, and senior citizens in Lahore.
Under this new initiative, these groups will be able to travel on the Orange Line and Metro system for free, albeit for a limited three-month period.
The announcement comes as a welcome relief to many who rely on public transportation in Lahore. Students pursuing up to 12th grade, special persons, and senior citizens are the primary beneficiaries of this initiative. However, university students will be required to pay a nominal fee for their commute.
For eligible senior citizens, the condition is to carry a valid identification card to avail themselves of the free travel facility. Students, on the other hand, must wear a uniform and present their student ID cards when using the Orange Line and Metro.
Addressing the initiative, Ibrahim Murad, the Caretaker Minister of Transport in Punjab, stated, “This initiative is being launched for an initial three-month period, during which we will assess the expenses incurred. After this evaluation, a decision will be taken to determine whether to continue and expand the facility.”
Many students are advocating for the program’s permanence for all students, irrespective of their level of education. Additionally, there are calls for improvements to the token system to alleviate long queues and delays experienced by students traveling to schools and colleges.
