The Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has received a globally-acclaimed, International Gold Standard Service Award (IGSS) on Thursday.
Kamran Bangash, Provincial Minister for Higher Education, received the award on behalf of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. He shared the images of receiving the award on his official Twitter account. Bangash said Pakistan is the seventh country to receive the IGSS Award. Only six countries have so far received this honor in the public transport sector.
Peshawar’s BRT has made a world record of obtaining 97 points out of 100 for the IGSS Award. No other country has so far received this high score to receive the award. According to his statement, Pakistan has become the first city in the subcontinent, the third city in Asia, and the seventh country worldwide to receive Gold Standard Service Ranking Award.
Kamran Bangash credited the government of KPK, the staff of BRT, its officers, services providers, and all other relevant institutions who are working tirelessly to make the project successful and serve the people of Peshawar.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had launched the Peshawar BTR in August 2020. Dr. Walter Hook, a member of the technical committee of the BRT Standard, said that Peshawar BRT is consistent in almost all respects in international best practices.
— ADBPakistan (@PakistanADB) February 17, 2022
Read more: PM to inaugurate Peshawar BRT on August 13, Thursday
Peshawar BRT gets international recognition
Earlier, Peshawar BRT had received the certificate of International Sustainable Award by the International Transport Organization. Every year, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and the Sustainable Transport Award Committee selects a city that introduces innovative sustainable transportation projects in the previous year.
“These strategies improve mobility for all residents, reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and improve safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians,” said the Sustainable Transport Award on its website.
“The winning city and honorable mentions are honored in a virtual ceremony hosted in February of the winning year,” said the institute. United Nations Women also honored BRT Peshawar for providing safe and best facilities to women.
Read more: BRT Peshawar gets international recognition
Peshawar government has devoted Rs.670 million to replace old buses with the advanced transport system and encourage people to rely more on public transport.