Peshawar BRT Extension to Khyber District

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has given the green light to extend the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to Jamrud and Bara tehsils in Khyber district.The announcement came following a high-level meeting led by Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on January 6, 2026.

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The chief minister emphasized that the BRT expansion would provide residents with a safe, dependable, and cost-effective public transport option, while helping to ease traffic congestion and cut down environmental pollution on the busy Peshawar-Khyber routes.”

Dedicated Infrastructure for Smooth BRT Operations

Officials at the meeting confirmed that a dedicated BRT ramp will be built at Karkhano Station to seamlessly connect the new routes with the existing system. The project is estimated to cost Rs 500 million.

“A dedicated ramp will allow passengers to travel efficiently between Peshawar and Khyber district, minimizing delays,” said a senior transport official present during the briefing.

New Routes and Bus Stops

The BRT expansion will include two primary routes aimed at improving connectivity for residents of Khyber district:

• Karkhano Market to Jamrud Bazaar: A five-kilometer stretch with eight bus stops to serve daily commuters.

• Pishtakhara to Bara Bazaar: A seven-kilometer route featuring ten bus stops for local passengers.

To operate these routes, the transport department will initially add 12 new 12-meter buses to the fleet.

At present, the Peshawar BRT system runs 18 routes covering 132 kilometers, transporting thousands of passengers across the city each day.

Fleet Expansion Plans

The KP government has also announced plans to modernize and expand the BRT fleet by June 2026, which include:

• 52 diesel-hybrid buses costing Rs 3.2 billion

• 50 electric buses costing Rs 6.2 billion

Officials say these additions will boost fleet capacity, improve service quality, and promote environmentally friendly transportation throughout Peshawar and surrounding areas.

Positive Public Response

The announcement has been widely welcomed by residents of Khyber district, many of whom face daily challenges traveling to Peshawar for work, education, or healthcare.

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“Commuting to Peshawar has always been time-consuming and expensive,” said Zarmina Khan, a local teacher from Jamrud. “The BRT extension is expected to make daily travel more convenient and safer, particularly for women and students,” said local commuters. Experts have also welcomed the move, highlighting that the addition of hybrid and electric buses will help reduce emissions on busy routes, creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all passengers.”

Broader Impact on Peshawar and Khyber District

The BRT expansion is a key part of KP’s strategy to improve public transport access in both urban and tribal areas. Officials say the project will not only strengthen connectivity but also support local economic activity by making travel easier for workers, shoppers, and small business owners.

“This initiative represents a major step toward modernizing transport infrastructure in Peshawar and Khyber district,” said a senior transport official.

With preparatory work already in progress and a clear timeline in place, KP’s BRT extension to Jamrud and Bara  is set to transform daily commuting in the region. Residents can soon enjoy safer, faster, and more affordable travel between Peshawar and Khyber district.”