Peshawar Urban Transport

Country: Pakistan
City: Peshawar

Key Stakeholders and PartnersPeshawar Development Authority; Asian Development Bank; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Urban Mobility Authority (KPUMA); TransPeshawar

Project Preparation Study PeriodOctober 2012 – May 2014

CDIA SupportUS$ 405,257

Expected Downstream FinancingUS$587 million (ADB, AFD, EIB and Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Infrastructure sectorsUrban Transport

CDIA priority impact areasClimate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Environmental Improvement; Poverty Reduction

Key City Development Issues

Public transport in Peshawar was considered inefficient, lacking investments, having weak traffic management, and with vehicles that typically exceed 25 years of age. It was also perceived as generally inaccessible; unreliable; and unsafe for women, children, elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The rapid growth of motorization has moreover exacerbated congestion and increased air and noise pollution. These factors highlighted the need for a well-designed and operated bus rapid transit (BRT) system to meet the transport needs of Peshawar’s residents.

Details of Cooperation

CDIA supported Peshawar in the following: (i) preparation of a 20-year Public Transport Strategy with a complementary 10-year action plan for the city’s public transportation system highlighting the financial feasibility, environmental and social impact, as well as sustainability of the Peshawar BRT; (ii) conduct of a pre-feasibility study for urban transport options including assessment of the technical, financial and management aspects of rapid transit options; and (iii) formulating recommendations on the implementation and operational arrangement of Peshawar’s transport system. CDIA was instrumental in linking the BRT project to ADB financing, which resulted in its successful implementation.

Expected Development Outcomes

Since 2020, the BRT system has been providing fast, reliable, and inclusive transport solution to 250,000 people every day, thereby providing them with better mobility and access to socio-economic opportunities. The project has brought about positive impacts on the city’s pro-poor and socially inclusive development, as well as on its urban governance and transport sector. Likewise, through its fleet of low-emission, electric-hybrid buses; bicycle-sharing program; and other environmental considerations, the BRT system is expected to reduce air pollution in Peshawar. ADB further estimates that upon full implementation, it is expected to reduce 31,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Download: Final Report      

Key City informationLand Area: 215 sq. km.
Population: 2.0 million (2017)
City website: n/a