Three new double decker buses added in the fleet of Sightseeing Lahore

Lahore : The Minister for Excise and Taxation/Information, Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman inaugurated three new double decker buses which were including in the existing fleet of TDCP Double Decker Buses.

The Minister said, Lahore is the city of Garden, Culture, Ancient Civilization and lively people. On the great success of TDCP Double Decker Bus Service, The Chief Minister Punjab took initiative to add more double decker buses for the Lahorites.

The Chief Minister, Punjab was pleased to inaugurate the 1^st“Sightseeing Lahore” Double Decker Bus Service Project in Pakistan on 25^th November, 2015. The project was conceived and developed by Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab in compliance with the development strategy of Punjab Government. The project envisaged to showcase the magnificent Cultural and Architectural Heritage of Lahore including its Recent Urban Development.

The project initially commenced with the operation of 02 Double Decker Buses of international standard procured through the process of international tendering at a cost of Rs. 30m each (Cost/Bus US $ 188,000 + Duty / Taxes Rs. 10m).

The capacity of each bus is 67 persons (Upper Deck 49 and Lower Deck 18). The project is being operated as per Best International Practices i.e. Aesthetically Beautiful and Tourist Friendly Terminals, Mechanism for Organized Bookings, Trained Drivers, Uniformed Staff, Tourist Guides en-route etc. Terminal 1 is located at Punjab Stadium, Ferozepur Road and Terminal 2 is at Food Street, Fort Road. Approved rates for tickets are Children (Aged upto 10),Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons are free whereas Students Rs. 100 and general tickets age 10 – 65 Rs. 200.

“Sightseeing Lahore” Pakistan’s 1^st ever Double Decker Tourist Bus Project has been a phenomenal success. The people from all walks of life, the active stakeholders of Tourism Sector; the visitors from abroad and other provinces of Pakistan have appreciated this landmark initiative of Chief Minister, Punjab. Print and Electronic media is continuously extending positive coverage to this project.

108,799 tourists including Educational Institutions, Corporate Sector Companies and Special Education Department/ NGOs particularly relating to disabled have availed and praised this project. Details up to 07^th March, 2017 are General Tours 1,457 Tourists  45,314, corporate Tours 211 Tourists 13,433, School Tours 292 17,520, Students 32,532, total revenue generated till 07^thMarch, 2017 is Rs. 14m.

The Chief Minister, Punjab was pleased to direct that the number of buses be increased from 02 to 05. TDCP has completed the process of procurement of 03 more buses, which have arrived at Lahore. M/s VPL Limited was the successful bidder and has provided the new buses with same specifications without any increase in the cost. The extension of Terminal 1 at Punjab Stadium, Ferozepur Road has also been completed.

The peak season has been observed from November till April. The existing 02 number of buses are insufficient to accommodate the ever growing demand. With the addition of 03 more buses the deficiency / gap shall be bridged.

Existing Route From Terminal 1 i.e Punjab Stadium via Ferozepur Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Jail Road, Canal, Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lower Mall, Ravi Road, Badami Bagh to Termimal-2 at Food Street Fort Road. Proposed Routes  Proposed Announcement to be made by Chief Minister Punjab at time of Inauguration, From Terminal 1 i.e Punjab Stadium to Greater Iqbal Park with extended stay and from Terminal1 i.e Punjab Stadium to Jallo Botanical Garden and Wahga Border via Lahore Canal.