LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the first tourist double-decker bus service at Punjab Stadium here on Wednesday, and was among the first batch of passengers on it.

PML-N leader Khwaja Ahmed Hassaan lent the chief minister Rs200 to buy a ticket for boarding the bus that has been reintroduced to the city after decades. He visited the bus terminal and souvenir centre besides travelling by the bus and responding to slogans of students and people present.

Talking to the media, Shahbaz said this was the first tourist bus service in the country and would be free for senior citizens, children below 10 years of age and special persons. Students would be charged Rs100 per head, while other people Rs200 for the ride between Qadhafi Stadium and Minar-i-Pakistan.

Shahbaz said colourful rickshaws had also been arranged in the Walled City for passengers of the double-deckers that would take them to the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Masjid and other historical sites, traditional food stalls on the Food Street and streets and havelis in the vicinity. He also said the best security arrangements, trained staff and first-aid facility were available on these buses.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015