Almost every public bus you board in Islamabad today runs under the Capital Development Authority. The CDA operates the city’s metrobus lines as well as the growing network of electric feeder buses, and both run as one connected system. If you understand how this network fits together, getting around the capital becomes simple and cheap. This guide covers the routes, the official app and the services you can actually use.
The Metro Lines CDA Runs
Islamabad’s rapid-transit backbone is the metrobus network, built around dedicated lanes that skip regular traffic. The Red Line links Saddar in Rawalpindi with Pak Secretariat — around 22.5 kilometres with 24 stations including Committee Chowk, Faizabad, PIMS and 7th Avenue. The Orange Line runs from Peshawar Mor out to Islamabad International Airport, roughly 25.6 kilometres. Alongside them, the Green Line connects Bhara Kahu to PIMS, the Blue Line runs from Koral Chowk toward PIMS, and the Purple Line ties Aabpara to Taramri. Together these lines cover the main corridors between the twin cities, and during peak hours a bus typically arrives every few minutes.
Electric Buses: 160 Buses on 21 Routes
Where the metrobus lines end, CDA’s electric buses take over. According to CDA figures reported in October 2026, a fleet of about 160 modern air-conditioned electric buses is currently serving around 21 routes, carrying close to 150,000 passengers every day. Routes like the PIMS-to-Bari Imam service, the PIMS-to-NUST link and the Golra Mor–B-17 corridor connect housing sectors, universities and hospitals to the main BRT stations. On weekends, tourist buses run from PIMS to Daman-e-Koh and Shakarparian. The authority has also approved four electric double-decker buses for sightseeing trips covering more than 15 tourist spots, including Lake View Park, Faisal Mosque and the Pakistan Monument — a sign the network is still expanding.
The CDA Metro App: Live Tracking and Trip Planning
The easiest way to use the whole system is the official CDA Metro App, free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Its standout feature is real-time bus tracking integrated with Google Maps, so you can see buses on the route, find your nearest stop and check arrivals before you leave home. The built-in trip planner estimates travel times between locations, and the app also highlights nearby tourist attractions for visitors. Just as useful, CDA pushes important announcements through the app — route changes, diversions and service updates arrive directly on your phone instead of through rumours on social media.
Fares stay deliberately affordable: most metro and feeder bus rides cost somewhere in the range of PKR 30 to 50 depending on the route. Boarding is straightforward — buy your ticket at the station, board the bus and transfer at interchange stations like PIMS, Faizabad or Golra Mor, where a single trip can span the metro lines and the feeder buses. Before a regular commute, save your most-used stops in the app and check for any notification about your line. One habit will save you the most trouble: always verify same-day changes on the CDA’s official channels, because an old blog post or search result can be months out of date.