Three firms express interest in Pindi’s AC bus service
Bus route starting at Rawat, Koral Chowk ends at IIA
PHOTO: FILE
RAWALPINDI:
The air-conditioned (AC) bus service from Rawalpindi to Islamabad International Airport (IIA) takes a step forward as three big companies have shown interest in the project.
In response to an advertisement posted by Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the companies have submitted related documents in sealed envelopes which will be opened by authority’s officials in the first week of October.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is also eyeing a similar bus service for residents of the federal capital.
The bus service will start from two points including Rawat and Koral Chowk and will make their way to their final destination, Islamabad International Airport (IIA). On each route, up to 32 air-conditioned coasters will be deployed under private partnership.
The coasters from Rawat will reach their destination via Sawan Camp Kutchery and Mall Road whereas buses from Koral Chowk will take old Airport route to reach their destination.
There will be nine stops on the route and passenger carriers will follow the same path after crossing Kutchery Chowk.
For parking facilities three stands will be set up for new coasters including two private in Rawat and Koral Chowk while a third one will be provided by the district government at IIA’s parking area, which will be a joint stand for coasters taking different routes.
Meanwhile, no other coasters or any vehicles carrying passengers will be allowed to take the same route followed by the new buses, putting an end to monopoly of private transporters.
The fares will be decided with mutual consultation of contractors and Rawalpindi Transport Authority (RTA).
Presently there is no public transport for IIA. This has posed a problem for the passengers making their way to the IIA via Rawalpindi who have to hire taxi cabs which are charging up to Rs2,000 in fares. These can go up to as much as Rs3,000 at night.
Meanwhile, the deadline for preparation project concept (PC) 1 of Rawalpindi Ring Road project has been extended to six months from previously decided three months.
The decision has been taken on recommendation of Asian Infrastructure Bank of China that has agreed to release a loan of Rs.44 billion for the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2019.
The air-conditioned (AC) bus service from Rawalpindi to Islamabad International Airport (IIA) takes a step forward as three big companies have shown interest in the project.
In response to an advertisement posted by Regional Transport Authority (RTA), the companies have submitted related documents in sealed envelopes which will be opened by authority’s officials in the first week of October.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is also eyeing a similar bus service for residents of the federal capital.
The bus service will start from two points including Rawat and Koral Chowk and will make their way to their final destination, Islamabad International Airport (IIA). On each route, up to 32 air-conditioned coasters will be deployed under private partnership.
The coasters from Rawat will reach their destination via Sawan Camp Kutchery and Mall Road whereas buses from Koral Chowk will take old Airport route to reach their destination.
There will be nine stops on the route and passenger carriers will follow the same path after crossing Kutchery Chowk.
For parking facilities three stands will be set up for new coasters including two private in Rawat and Koral Chowk while a third one will be provided by the district government at IIA’s parking area, which will be a joint stand for coasters taking different routes.
Meanwhile, no other coasters or any vehicles carrying passengers will be allowed to take the same route followed by the new buses, putting an end to monopoly of private transporters.
The fares will be decided with mutual consultation of contractors and Rawalpindi Transport Authority (RTA).
Presently there is no public transport for IIA. This has posed a problem for the passengers making their way to the IIA via Rawalpindi who have to hire taxi cabs which are charging up to Rs2,000 in fares. These can go up to as much as Rs3,000 at night.
Meanwhile, the deadline for preparation project concept (PC) 1 of Rawalpindi Ring Road project has been extended to six months from previously decided three months.
The decision has been taken on recommendation of Asian Infrastructure Bank of China that has agreed to release a loan of Rs.44 billion for the project.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2019.