Lahore's landmark Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT), the first electric railway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has celebrated a monumental achievement, transporting over 270 million passengers in its first five years of operation from 2020 to November 2025.
A Decade of Service and Efficiency
According to a Gwadar Pro report, the China-operated metro has not only achieved this staggering ridership milestone but has also completed 512,180 trips with an impeccable 1,800 days of safe operation. The service has fundamentally improved local transportation, eased traffic congestion, and contributed positively to environmental protection in the provincial capital.
The 27.1-kilometer route, stretching from Dera Gujjran to Ali Town, provides a swift and comfortable journey for Lahore's approximately 12.6 million residents. A complete trip along this corridor takes between 80 to 90 minutes, offering a reliable alternative to the city's often-congested roads.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
The OLMT stands as the most affordable mode of luxurious and comfortable travel in the city. Its impact on public savings is profound, with an estimated Rs 60.4 billion saved annually as around 250,000 people utilize the service every day. This is a significant relief for the common citizen, as highlighted by Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMTA) GM Operations Muhammad Ozair Shah, who noted that nearly 8% of per capita income is typically spent on transportation.
In a city like Lahore, where air and noise pollution levels are alarmingly high, the electric metro is a breath of fresh air. Running on 108 MV of electricity, it operates with zero emissions and significantly reduces noise pollution. An official from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after conducting an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), confirmed that the Metro train is a green transportation facility that also helps mitigate the city's severe smog problems.
Empowering Citizens and Transforming Mobility
The rail-based system enhances transport efficiency through technical improvements and, more importantly, by encouraging a shift away from private car use. This change in the 'modal split' reduces congestion and its associated negative social and economic consequences.
The project's inclusivity is another major success. For persons with disabilities like Rahat Sarfarz, a wheelchair user, the OLMT has been life-changing. He shared that the PWD-friendly design of the metro train has turned his dream of independent travel into a reality, addressing a critical gap in urban transport systems that often remain off-limits to those with disabilities.
