Zu Peshawar promoted urban mobility, improved economic development and addressed climate change by restructuring the local bus industry to build a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system and creating bicycle-sharing infrastructure.
Residents in rapidly urbanizing cities across the world struggle with high travel burdens and exclusion from opportunities due to polluting and unregulated mobility systems. Peshawar was no exception: Decades-old, overcrowded vehicles clogged city streets, harming the environment and posing serious public safety risks, especially for women, children, the elderly, disabled and transgender people, who faced harassment and had limited seating or physical access. High-floor buses were difficult for older risers to use, and high fares barred lower-income residents from reliable mobility options. Compounding these challenges, the system lacked basic data, leaving operations highly susceptible to disruption and crises.
- Worked with consultants and market professionals to determine demand
- Engaged the private sector to operate and maintain the project: 80% of capital costs were funded by loans from the Asian Development Bank and the French Development Agency
- Held discussions with bus operators and employees of the old bus system
- Collaborated with residents with physical disabilities and women to design a more inclusive public transit system
- Established 27 kilometers of fully dedicated bus corridors with 30 bus stations, and 59 kilometers of fully integrated off-corridor routes with 155 bus stops
- Introduced 220 diesel hybrid-electric buses, cycling paths, bicycle parking facilities and an integrated bicycle-sharing system
- Developed ~10,000 square meters of landscaped area
- Improved 56 kilometers of road for buses
- Created public awareness and inspired similar projects in three other cities in Pakistan
- Helped boost land value of adjacent properties and businesses by 3-10%
- Connected over 70% of the city’s area and reduced travel time
- Supported marginalized segments of society on the new BRT system:
- Dedicated BRT seats for transgender people
- Increased accessibility for those with physical disabilities
- Helped more than 80% of women and lower-income residents access the job market
- Required at least 20% of BRT staff be women
