APROPOS the news item ‘Sight-seeing bus service in Bahawalpur shortly’ (Nov 13), the initiative taken by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation in promoting tourism is indeed commendable. This will also cheer up the people who are bored with their dull and mundane routines. Moreover, the double-decker bus chosen for the purpose will add to the entertainment factor because there are hardly any such facilities in Pakistan.

While I appreciate the initiative, I also believe that the approved fare of Rs300 is too high. In a city where people survive on meagre pay, it will be hard for them to spend so much on leisure.

The bus service will create discrimination between the poor and the elite. For a distance of hardly 8-10km, it is unfair to have such a high fare.

The government should subsidise this bus service and reduce its daily fare.

Muhammad Shaheer Khan
Bahawalpur

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2020