Chinese SRT metro to run in Lahore
LAHORE, Jul 24 (Gwadar Pro) - In the backdrop of Pak-China modern transport collaboration, Chinese super autonomous rapid transit (SRT) metro is all set to ply on the roads of Lahore, capital of Punjab, the most urbanized and thickly-populated province of Pakistan.
The trial run is expected to be executed after SRT’s display at Lahore Expo during the second week of August. Proposed routes are from Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspura and Gulberg area. The SRT Metro, known as “trackless, ticketless and battery-powered electric tram”, was imported into Pakistan by the Chinese company NORINCO International on July 21, 2025.
NORINCO International has already proven its mettle by operating a modern transport system in Pakistan in the wake of launching, operating and maintaining Orange Line Metro Rail Transit System (OLMT) in Lahore, the first electric railway transportation project completed on October 25, 2020 under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The arrival of the trackless metro aligns with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s newly approved five-year transport master plan, which aims to deploy an Automated Rapid Transport (ART) system in 30 cities across the province. The SRT bus is a cutting-edge electric vehicle that runs without the need for traditional tracks, offering a flexible and sustainable alternative to conventional mass transit systems. Already operational in cities like Dubai, the SRT bus is known for its adaptability and environmental benefits.
Measuring up to 30 meters in length, the bus is powered by two engines and can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour. Despite its large size, the vehicle boasts remarkable manoeuvrability, with the ability to make turns in spaces as small as 15 meters in diameter.
Billed as a “subway on wheels,” the SRT system uses Virtual Track Technology, relying on advanced sensors, GPS, and digital mapping instead of physical rails. The battery-powered, fully electric vehicle is part of a pilot project initiated to evaluate the system’s potential in transforming city travel in Pakistan.
“This will be a fully solar-powered, smart transit solution for modern Punjab. We’re not just building infrastructure; we’re building equity in mobility,” CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz stated during a recent briefing.
The ART system will use vehicles similar to the SRT, electric, multi-coach buses capable of carrying 250 to 300 passengers each. Unlike traditional metros or BRT systems, the SRT/ART models require no costly tracks or elevated corridors, enabling faster, cheaper roll-out across both large cities and smaller urban centers.
