Faisalabad unveils smart transport app

The Faisalabad administration has announced a major initiative to improve public transport through digital

The Faisalabad administration has announced a major initiative to improve public transport through digital technology and environmentally friendly solutions. The project includes a smart mobile application for public transport and a planned electric vehicle (EV) battery-swapping network. Officials say the initiative is aimed at making daily travel easier, safer and more efficient for thousands of commuters across the division.

Commissioner Faisalabad and President of the Faisalabad Urban Transport Society (FUTS), Imran Hamid Sheikh, said the new Faisalabad Public Transport App will bring government and private transport services together on one digital platform. The system will cover all four districts of Faisalabad Division and allow passengers to access transport information from a single application.

The mobile app will provide real-time tracking of public transport vehicles. Passengers will be able to see the live location of government buses, metro buses, electric buses and registered urban Hiace vehicles. The feature will help commuters know exactly when a vehicle is arriving, reducing long waiting times and making travel more convenient.

Another important feature of the application is its smart route-planning system. Users will simply enter their destination, and the app will suggest the best travel route. It will also tell passengers which buses to board, where they need to change routes and the estimated arrival time of connecting services. Officials believe this feature will especially benefit students, office workers and first-time travellers who are unfamiliar with city routes.

Authorities said the application has been developed for public convenience and will be available free of cost. Commuters will not have to pay any fee to use the service. However, transport operators will have to complete registration and comply with the required regulations before joining the digital platform.

The administration also plans to introduce digital registration for public transport vehicles. The registration system will be linked with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), allowing authorities to maintain accurate transport records and improve monitoring of public transport services. Officials expect the registration process for transport operators to begin within the next 15 days to one month, followed by the official launch of the application.

In addition to the digital transport platform, the administration is working on establishing an electric vehicle battery-swapping network. The proposed system will allow EV users to replace discharged batteries with fully charged ones in a short time instead of waiting for vehicles to recharge. Officials believe this will encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and support cleaner, more sustainable transportation in the city.