In light of the severe weather, the caretaker Punjab government has decided to reinstate the free travel option for students on Metro and Speedo Buses and Orange Line Metro Train.
On the two massive public transport projects, officials have been instructed by Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to reinstate the free travel policy for another three months, or the start of the summer holiday.
Up to the summer break, all Metro Buses and the Orange Line Train will be free for students up to Class XII, said caretaker Punjab Transport Minister Ibrahim Hassan Murad.
He said the facility will also be offered to madressah students.
The minister also said that during the recent winter holidays, the free travel facility had been interrupted briefly, while so far, millions of students had benefited from it. He said the Speedo bus service would also provide the free travel facility to students.
Moreover, the Punjab government is also ensuring the provision of interest-free motorcycles on EVs technology for students in line with its education-friendly vision, to enable more youth to continue their education easily.
As per reports, approximately 30,000 students used these facilities every day, which would also help reduce fuel import bills.
It is noteworthy that, in reaction to the escalating cost of oil, the provincial government had announced last year that free public transport would be available to students. But it decided to end the service just before the winter break. The free travel programme has now been reinstated and will run through the summer holidays.
It is crucial to remember that students can only utilise the free bus service if they are carrying their identity cards from their school or institution and are dressed in their uniform.
