In a massive relief for citizens and tourists, the Punjab Government has officially announced free public transport across Lahore for the upcoming Basant festival.
The initiative, sanctioned by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, aims to provide safe mobility and reduce traffic congestion during the celebrations from February 6th to 8th.
With the historic kite-flying festival returning after a lengthy ban, authorities are encouraging residents to ditch their motorcycles, which are more vulnerable to stray strings, and use the city’s robust mass transit network instead.
Which Services Are Free?
From the first light on Friday, February 6th, until midnight on Sunday, February 8th, the following services will be completely free of charge.
Orange Line Metro Train: Expected to serve over 250,000 passengers daily.
Metro Bus Service: Running across the Shahdara to Gajjumata corridor.
Speedo & Electric Buses: Over 200 feeder buses will operate across 24 dedicated city routes.
Ride-Hailing Partnerships
In a first-of-its-kind move, the government has partnered with private companies (like Yango) to offer up to 60,000 free cab rides and 6,000 free rickshaw trips for short-distance travel.
Key Free Bus Routes to Watch
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority has finalized 24 major routes to ensure every corner of the city is connected to the festivities. Some of the most popular routes include.
| Route Start | Destination | No. of Buses |
| Rana Town | Railway Station | 13 Buses |
| RA Bazar | Nasir Bagh | 13 Buses |
| Canal | Jinnah Terminal | 12 Buses |
| Wahdat Road | Qurtaba Chowk | 11 Buses |
| Railway Station | Gulshan-e-Ravi | 8 Buses |
| Bhatti Chowk | Shadbagh | 5 Buses |
| Depot Chowk | Chungi | 4 Buses |
The initiative is designed to provide safe, easy, and free travel across the city during the festivities.
