Karachi bus guide
New Red Bus Karachi (People's Bus Service) route maps
The People’s Bus Service (PBS) is the Government of Sindh’s flagship urban bus programme for Karachi. The network has two families of buses — the red R-series (R1, R2, R3, R4, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, and R13) and the air-conditioned EV-series electric buses (EV1 through EV5) — plus a women-only Pink Bus that runs during peak hours on selected R-series routes. This page is a comprehensive current guide to the network: every route, every terminal, every stop in sequence, and the fares, hours, and headways you need to plan a real trip.
RedBus Karachi (redbus.shop) is independently built and is not affiliated with the People’s Bus Service or redBus India.
Fare notice — Effective 1 February 2025
Rs. 80 per person per ride for trips up to 15 km, Rs. 120 for trips above 15 km. These fares apply across every R-series and EV-series route in the network.
The three bus families in Karachi
When you see a People’s Bus Service bus on the road in Karachi, it will be one of three things — and the colour tells you which.
PBS Red
R-series Red Buses
The original PBS fleet — centrally air-conditioned red buses running 10 routes across the city. A typical bus seats around 40 passengers, includes dedicated space for women, and can carry roughly 40 more standing passengers.
PBS EV
EV-series Electric Buses
5 air-conditioned electric bus routes (EV1 through EV5). Quieter, smoother, and the same flat fare as the red buses — used for the longer trunk corridors into the suburbs.
PBS Pink
Pink Bus — women only
A women-only service that runs during peak hours on selected R-series routes to give women and girls a safer commute. See the Pink Bus section below.
Service at a glance
- Operating hours
- 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Peak headway
- ~15 minutes (8–10 AM, 5–8 PM)
- Fare (up to 15 km)
- Rs. 80
- Fare (above 15 km)
- Rs. 120
- Booking
- No pre-booking or advance reservation is required.
Every day, including weekends and public holidays.
Off-peak: ~30 minutes.
Buses run first-come, first-served. Each boarding is a separate fare, including transfers.
Background and rollout
The People’s Bus Service was launched by the Government of Sindh as a flagship urban transport programme for Karachi. The network was rolled out in phases — the first corridors opened in 2022, with new routes and the EV fleet added in stages over the following year.
Public reporting at the time described an initial fleet of around 250 buses deployed across the city, with phased expansion planned for both the R-series and EV-series as new corridors came online. Exact fleet sizes change over time as buses are added, redeployed, or serviced — the network RedBus Karachi plans routes against is the 15 routes listed below, not a fixed fleet count.
A service update from August 2023 described R12 and EV3 as additions that expanded coverage through the eastern suburbs and the Numaish interchange.
Every route, every stop
The full list of R-series and EV-series routes in the People’s Bus Service network, with terminals, length, and the stop sequence served in order. Each route number and terminal pair links to the dedicated route page.
| Route | Terminals | Length | Status | Stops |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Khokrapar to Dockyard | 28 km | Operational |
|
| R2 | Power House to Indus Hospital | 30 km | Operational |
|
| R3 | Power House to Nasir Jump · via Shaan Chowrangi | 31 km | Operational |
|
| R4 | Power House to Tower | 21 km | Operational |
|
| R8 | Yousuf Goth to Tower | 17 km | Operational |
|
| R9 | Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Tower | 42 km | Operational |
|
| R10 | Numaish Chowrangi to Ibrahim Hyderi | 28 km | Operational |
|
| R11 | Miran Nakka to Shireen Jinnah Colony | 19 km | Operational |
|
| R12 | Naddi Kinara to Lucky Star Saddar · via Khokrapar | 31 km | Operational |
|
| R13 | Hawksbay to Tower | 20 km | Operational |
|
| EV1 | Malir Cantt to Dolmen Mall Clifton · via Tank Chowk, Karsaz, DHA Phase 1 | 28 km | Operational |
|
| EV2 | Bahria Town to Malir Halt · via Dumba Goth, Baqai University | 30 km | Operational |
|
| EV3 | Malir Cantt Check Post 5 to Numaish · via Mausamiyat, Johar, Numaish | 20 km | Operational |
|
| EV4 | Bahria Town to Ayesha Manzil · via Jamali Pull, Al Asif, Sohrab Goth | 34 km | Operational |
|
| EV5 | DHA City to Sohrab Goth | 20 km | Operational |
|
Pink Bus — women-only peak-hour service
The Pink Bus is the People’s Bus Service’s women-only service. Pink-liveried buses run on selected R-series routes during peak hours so that women and girls can commute with less crowding and a safer on-board environment.
Pink Bus service is currently reported on the following R-series routes: R1, R2, R3, R9, R10. Coverage is set by PBS and can change between phases of the programme — please check the current PBS notice for the latest schedule and any route additions.
The fare, operating hours, and stop sequence on a Pink Bus match the underlying R-series route — only the bus and the on-board audience are different.
Frequently asked questions
How many Red Bus and EV bus routes operate in Karachi?
There are 10 Red Bus routes (R-series) and 5 EV electric bus routes in the People's Bus Service network that RedBus Karachi plans against — 15 routes in total: R1, R2, R3, R4, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, and EV5.
What is the fare on Karachi Red Bus and EV bus routes?
Fares are set by the People's Bus Service and apply across the network. Rs. 80 per person per ride for trips up to 15 km, Rs. 120 for trips above 15 km. This fare structure has applied since 1 February 2025.
Can I pre-book a seat on a Red Bus or EV bus in Karachi?
No. People's Bus Service buses operate without advance reservations, online booking, or app-based ticketing.
What are the operating hours for Karachi Red Bus and EV routes?
The published operating window for the R-series and EV-series is 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, including weekends and public holidays. Service levels can change on major holidays.
How often do the buses come?
Peak-hour headway is ~15 minutes (8–10 AM, 5–8 PM); off-peak headway is ~30 minutes. Allow extra time because traffic and service conditions can affect the gap between buses.
How do I find the right route between two places in Karachi?
Open the RedBus Karachi web app or Android app and type your destination. The planner shows the full chain of buses, where to switch, and exactly where to get off — no route-number guesswork. You can also browse every route and its stops on the routes page.
Do Red Bus and EV buses run on weekends and public holidays?
Yes. The service operates every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays. Timings and headways can vary on major holidays.
What happens to the service in heavy rain or bad weather?
Service can be delayed or suspended in heavy monsoon rain, urban flooding, or other severe weather. Headways stretch and a small number of routes may be diverted around flooded roads. Always allow extra time during the monsoon (July–September).
If I need to change buses, do I pay again?
Yes. Each boarding is charged as a separate ride, so a trip that uses more than one bus requires a fare for every leg.
What is the Pink Bus service in Karachi?
The Pink Bus is the women's-only service operated on selected R-series routes during peak hours, to give women and girls a safer commute. RedBus Karachi is independent of the People's Bus Service — please check the latest PBS notices for the current schedule.
When were R12 and EV3 added to the published route information?
A service update from August 2023 described R12 (Naddi Kinara to Lucky Star Saddar) and EV3 (Malir Cantt Check Post 5 to Numaish) as additions to the People's Bus Service network.
How many EV electric bus routes are there in Karachi?
There are 5 EV electric bus routes in the People's Bus Service network: EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5. EV buses are air-conditioned and run on the same fares and operating hours as the R-series.
Plan a trip across the network
Most trips across Karachi need more than one bus. The RedBus Karachi app models the entire network as a graph and picks the shortest chain of buses for any destination — which bus to board first, where to switch, and exactly where to get off. You can also browse every route individually on the routes page.
This page is a route reference, not an official PBS source. The People’s Bus Service sets fares, hours, and the route list. RedBus Karachi is an independent app and is not affiliated with the People’s Bus Service or redBus India (redbus.in).