Sightseeing Lahore: Shahbaz inaugurates double-decker tourist bus service

Published November 25, 2015
Each bus, whose route will cover "almost every historical site in the city", has a seating capacity of 48 persons on the upper deck and 18 on the lower one. - DawnNews Screengrab
Each bus, whose route will cover "almost every historical site in the city", has a seating capacity of 48 persons on the upper deck and 18 on the lower one. - DawnNews Screengrab

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated on Wednesday Pakistan's first sightseeing double-decker bus service for tourists in the provincial capital.

The double-decker bus service, namely "Sightseeing Lahore", is part of a project of the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) to promote cultural and historical heritage of the province.

"Initially, two open-roof double-decker buses have been introduced for guided tour of the historical city while three more buses will be imported from China in the second phase."

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif aboard the tourist bus. - DawnNews Screengrab
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif aboard the tourist bus. - DawnNews Screengrab

The chief minister, accompanied by Provincial Minister for Tourism Rana Mashhood and former chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmed Hassan, travelled in the bus from the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Talking to media, Shahbaz said it was the first time in the country's history that a double-decker bus service was being launched in Lahore, adding that it would add to the city's beauty.

"Tourists from not only Lahore but from other cities would also find amusement in this service."

Related: Red bus in town

The buses are beautifully coloured along with pictures of famous heritage sites of the city. - DawnNews Screengrab
The buses are beautifully coloured along with pictures of famous heritage sites of the city. - DawnNews Screengrab

He said that the general public, especially children would travel and visit historic places of the city.

The chief minister directed the managing director of TDCP to "leave no stone unturned" in providing the best atmosphere to tourists.

Responding to a query, Shahbaz said that he faced criticism for developing public welfare projects such as Metro Bus Service and Orange Line. However, he added, that his services to the masses would continue, defying all criticism.

Also read: ‘Over 200,000 commuters to ride on metro bus’

In a jovial mood, he told a reporter that people "opposing the project" would also travel and rejoice from the bus service.

The colourfully painted buses have been inscribed with a slogan “Lahore Lahore Ay (Lahore is Lahore)”. - DawnNews Screengrab
The colourfully painted buses have been inscribed with a slogan “Lahore Lahore Ay (Lahore is Lahore)”. - DawnNews Screengrab

Elaborating details of the service, the chief minister said that each bus, whose route will cover "almost every historical site in the city", has a seating capacity of 48 persons on the upper deck and 18 on the lower one.

He said that a bus terminal had been established near Punjab Stadium on Ferozepur Road while another terminal had been built near Food Street on Fort Road.

Also read: PTDC starts Pindi-Naran bus service

The vehicles are equipped with a sound system to guide tourists about the city's history and places of interest along the route.

Children under the age of ten and disabled persons are exempted from paying the Rs200 fare of the bus service.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.