PMA Arranges Alternative Buses as Lahore Metro Bus Suspension Looms
At a glance
- Lahore Metro Bus Service faces potential suspension from August 11.
- Operator cites financial constraints and fuel shortages.
- PMA is arranging alternative buses to maintain service.
Story so far
Lahore's Metro Bus Service, operating on the Gajjumata-Shahdra route, faces potential suspension from August 11. The private operator, Veda, issued a final notice to the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA), citing severe financial constraints and persistent fuel shortages. Veda claims the PMA has not complied with a court order to provide fuel from its own sources. The PMA has condemned the move as blackmail and is challenging the court verdict, while also initiating arbitration. The authority is now arranging alternative buses to ensure service continuity.
Latest development
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has announced plans to arrange alternative buses to ensure the Lahore Metro Bus Service continues from August 11, should the private operator proceed with its suspension threat. The PMA stated that any further price increase or implementation of the court order regarding fuel supply requires provincial government approval.
Latest updates
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has announced it is arranging alternative buses to ensure the Lahore Metro Bus Service continues from August 11, should the private operator suspend operations. The PMA clarified that any further price increase or implementation of the court order regarding fuel supply requires provincial government approval. The operator stated that when it commenced operations, diesel was approximately Rs 105 per litre, and the current fuel formula does not cover its full costs.
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has termed the private operator's decision to suspend Lahore Metro Bus operations from August 11 as an attempt to blackmail the government. The PMA stated it would challenge the court verdict that directed it to provide fuel from its own sources and plans to invoke a contractual clause for the appointment of arbitrators to settle the dispute.
This development follows failed talks between the operator and the PMA regarding rising fuel costs and other issues. The operator had sent letters on July 31 and August 4, followed by a meeting on August 6, where the company reiterated its exhausted financial resources. During this meeting, the PMA indicated it could not make a decision without government directives and failed to communicate a proposed solution after the meeting.
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