KARACHI, Jan 2 : After more than six decades, double-decker buses have returned to the streets of Karachi, with Chinese-made vehicles from Higer Bus Company Limited inaugurating a historic revival of the city’s iconic transit service.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah officiated the launch of the first batch of double-deckers under the People’s Bus Service, fulfilling a pledge to introduce them by December 2025.
The last regular double-decker service in Karachi dates back to the late 1950s and early 1960s, when British-style double-deckers plied major routes such as the famed Route 48 between Jama Cloth Market and Keamari.
The newly introduced Higer buses, modern, air-conditioned, high-capacity vehicles imported from China, mark a significant enhancement of Karachi’s transit network. Officials said the experimental launch begins today, with public operations to officially begin Friday.
Sindh’s People’s Bus Service already carries around 1.5 million riders daily in Karachi, with an additional 75,000 commuters using the Orange Line and Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Officials said integration and expansion could benefit up to 100,000 more riders.
The provincial government plans to roll out additional double-decker lines on major corridors in 2026 and expand electric bus services across the city and province. Subsidized fares and air-conditioned vehicles are intended to make public transport both affordable and appealing, according to a Gwadar Pro’s report.
