Swvl is a Cairo, Egypt founded, app-based bus service, that has recently been launched in Pakistan, and is owned by Mostafa Kandil. It has been launched in the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, with their engineering office in Karachi. The reason behind launching the service in the twin cities before the city of lights, Karachi is, that Karachi does not have a well-defined route plan and the infrastructure does not comply with the requirement. On the contrary Islamabad and Rawalpindi have suitable infrastructure for the bus service to function.
This app-based service started on 17th September 2019 in Pakistan, with Pakistan being its second international market after Kenya. The owner does have plans for further expansion as well.
The service is affordable, secure and spacious with an air-conditioned environment. The way this bus service works is, that it acts as an alternative to the public transport and enables riders to book seats or the entire bus, using their mobile-friendly app that is available on Google playstore and applestore. All that needs to be done is, book the ride and pay the fare. Moreover, the app is run and maintained by third parties.
Buses are operated on fixed bus lines with determined routes. The customers are picked up from their specified pick-up route or spot to be dropped off to their defined destination at reasonably low fares, when compared with other public transport services available in the market. The route can also be tracked in real-time.
ROUTES
The routes that SWVL is currently following are:
1. DHA Phase 2 to Islamabad Expressway to Blue Area to Jinnah Super.
2. Bahria Town Phase 4 to Islamabad Expressway to Blue Area to Jinnah Super.
3. Wah Cantt to Golra to Aabpara.
These days, they are running a promo code ‘SWVLFREE’.
Happy Riding!
