Public transport in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has long suffered from a lack of clear digital guidance. While the Capital Development Authority (CDA) introduced electric feeder buses earlier this year, commuters were left without reliable maps or schedules. Filling that gap, a young developer, Muhammad Abdullah Qaisar, created the Safar app, which has quickly become a lifesaver for thousands of daily riders.
A Citizen-Led Innovation
Qaisar, a software engineer from Islamabad, shared on Reddit: “Government is spending millions on an app I built and launched for free.” His motivation came when one of the new feeder routes began passing near his home, but he found no official schedules or maps online. Instead of waiting for the government to act, he decided to build a solution himself.
With support from cartographer Faizan Khattak, who contributed mapping expertise, Safar transformed scattered information into a user-friendly transport guide. The app launched in March 2025 and has since gained over 15,000 active users, mapping more than 25,000 routes across the twin cities.
Key Features of the Safar App
- Route Planning for Metro and feeder buses.
- Interactive Network Map covering Red, Blue, Orange, Green, and feeder lines.
- Station Locator for nearby stops.
- Fare Calculator with updated pricing.
- Bus Schedules with accurate timing.
- Privacy First – the app collects no user data.
Why Safar Matters?
Safar has succeeded where official systems have lagged. By offering commuters reliable information in real time, it has made Islamabad-Rawalpindi’s public transport easier to navigate. The app’s growth also highlights the role of citizen-led innovation in solving civic problems without relying on slow-moving government programs.
Future Plans
Safar’s developers are already planning to expand the service to Lahore, Karachi, and other cities, though no government authority has yet approached them for collaboration.
For commuters, Safar is more than just an app—it is a proof of how technology and initiative can bridge critical service gaps in urban mobility.
