Discounts for students on Orange Train will reduce pollution, propose officials

Punjab government officials have suggested reducing metro train fares for students in Lahore to reduce the carbon footprint in the city.

For this, the Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has prepared a summary that will be presented to the new cabinet of the Punjab government, when it is appointed.

As per the summary, seen by Geo.tv, students, of both private and public educational institutes, will be allowed to get special passes made to travel on the Orange Line Metro Train. The passes will ensure that the students get a discounted fare.

Students in Lahore already get a 50% discount on their bus fares. Officials hope to extend the same facility to those travelling on the metro train.

“If the summary is approved then it would reduce the use of cars and motorbikes by students on the roads of Lahore,” Uzair Shah, the general manager (operations) for PMA, told Geo.tv, “This will prove to be very environmentally friendly for the city.”

His department estimates that if students begin using the metro train more often then it could reduce annual fuel emissions in Lahore by 30,000 tonnes.

In the winters, Lahore chokes on a thick blanket of smog due to emissions from vehicles. Last year, it was ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world.