Shuttle service from Rawat to new Islamabad Airport starts next month

Rawalpindi: In order to provide safe and comfortable travelling facility to the citizens, a shuttle service from Rawat to Koral Chowk to new Islamabad Airport will be started next month on trial basis.

According to Secretary, Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Khalid Yameen Satti, a private company, has been selected through proper bidding process for the service. The company will run the buses on the 35 kilometres long route and make arrangements to provide high quality, safe and comfortable service to the people. He said that the company has been directed to start the bus service while the fare for different stops at the route would be finalised later.

The secretary informed that after every five km distance, proper bus stations would be established for the facilitation of the commuters.

He further said that the company has proposed Rs30 fare from one station to other with monthly cards at a cost of Rs2500 for the regular commuters. To a question he said, RTA is taking strict action in accordance with the law against transporters found involved in overcharging the passengers travelling on various routes in Rawalpindi as fare of Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) has not yet been revised. RTA officials have been directed to take action against transporters found involved in overcharging passengers.

No one would be allowed to fleece commuters adding that the vehicles of those indulging in overcharging would also be impounded. He warned the transporters not to violate the rules else strict action would be taken against them. The transporters could not increase fares on their own, he added. Khalid informed that RTA issued 1040 challan tickets to PSVs during Feb and also impounded 238 for overcharging, overloading.