CM opens double-decker bus service for sightseeing

LAHORE
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the first tourist double-decker bus service in the history of the country at Punjab Stadium on Wednesday.
He visited the terminal of the bus service and purchased the ticket of Rs 200. The chief minister visited the souvenir centre and saw the items displayed there. He also travelled by double-decker bus and responded to the slogans of the students and the people by waving his hand.
Later, talking to the media, the CM said the first tourist bus service of the country had been launched in the provincial metropolis.
He said free service will be provided to senior citizens, children below the age of ten years and disabled persons. He said students will be charged Rs 100 while common citizens Rs 200.
Double-decker buses will operate from Gaddafi Stadium to Minar-e-Pakistan. He said double-decker buses used to ply in Lahore and other big cities and enhanced their beauty but with the passage of time these buses have vanished. He said in London, which is a historical city of Britain, these buses still operate and are a symbol of the city.
Shahbaz Sharif said that double-decker buses that had vanished decades ago from Lahore and other cities of Punjab have been revived for the promotion of tourism. He said people of Lahore and other cities including elderly persons and children will have recreational tour of Lahore through double-decker buses and see the historical places of the Walled City.
He said colourful rickshaws have also been arranged in the Walled City for the tourists of double-decker buses so that they could visit Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and other historical sites as well as enjoy traditional food in the Food Street and other places in the Walled City.
The CM said that the persons travelling by these buses would also see the streets and Havelis of the Walled City. He said best security arrangements, trained staff and first-aid facility is available in these buses. He said the number of double-decker buses being operated for promotion of tourism will soon be increased. Shahbaz Sharif said that he had personally travelled by a double-decker bus and found it very comfortable and splendid. He appreciated Punjab Tourism Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Kh Ahmad Hasaan, Secretary Tourism, Managing Director Punjab Tourism Development Cooperation, Commissioner Lahore Division, Director General Walled City and authorities concerned on the launching of tourist double-decker bus service.
Replying the questions of the media, Shahbaz Sharif said that he has issued instructions to the authorities concerned to increase the number of buses as it will promote tourism as well as the soft image of Pakistan. Replying to a question, he said metro bus service is a public transport facility and lakhs of people reach their destination only at a cost of Rs.20.
He said teachers, students, employees, lawyers, doctors, workers and labourers benefit from this transport facility whereas tourist double-decker bus service is for the promotion of tourism, therefore, there is a difference between the fares of these buses.
He said opposition that criticises metro bus project also travels by the metro buses and would also enjoy the ride of tourist double-decker buses. The CM said that immediate measures would be taken for resolving traffic problems being faced during implementation of Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project and he has issued instructions to CTO in this regard.
He said he is aware that people are facing traffic problems and these will be resolved on priority basis. He said the problems caused during construction of Orange Line Metro Train project are temporary and will soon turn into a permanent facility.