The new date of June 6, 2015 has been set by the government for inauguration of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Service (MBS) after May 29, 2015 inauguration date was postponed. The development work on the MBS project has been nearly completed whereas the cleaning and revamping work is proceeding at a fast pace. The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) has also launched an operation to remove some signboards ahead of the Metro Bus Project's inauguration.
The operation was launched from Murree Road up to Faizabad. Metro Bus Project Chairman Hanif Abbasi said the multi-billion rupee project is near completion. He, however, did not confirm the date and venue of the inauguration of the project, which was originally scheduled to be inaugurated in March 23 this year. Construction of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus began on February 28, 2014 and it was expected to be completed by January 2015, with 60 buses initially plying the route. The Rawalpindi Development Authority is overseeing the project with a cost of approximately Rs 34 billion, which will be shared by both the Federal government and the provincial government of Punjab.
Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus Route has one dedicated line along with 24 stations along its way. It is expected to facilitate at least 150,000 daily commuters between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. According to an official of the City District Government Rawalpindi Sports and Cultural Festivals will be launched from June3 to celebrate the inauguration of Metro Bus Service. A bus depot has been constructed on 17 acres near Peshawar Morr, where buses coming from Karachi will be parked.