ISLAMABAD: The regional transport authorities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi have approved four new public transport routes to link the twin cities with the new International Islamabad Airport and facilitate commuters.
The authorities approved a public transport route from Rawat to Secretariat, Secretariat to Blue Area, Blue Area to Kashmir Highway and Kashmir Highway to Motorway Chowk, a top official of federal capital told APP here Wednesday.
He said that initially fifty air-conditioned mini buses would run on all the four routes with Rs6 per kilometer (km) fare while the total fare would not exceed from Rs 260.
He said that the transport service would be available round-the-clock in all days of the week, adding the test drive would begin next week.
Talking about the routes of Islamabad, Assistant Commissioner Islamabad, Saad Bin Asad, said two of these transport routes of the capital would link the city with new international airport.
He said that the route from Secretariat to new airport would touch metro bus stations at five places, hence facilitate maximum number of people.
He further said that initially twenty air-conditioned mini buses would be put on the two routes of Islamabad, adding a company has been given approval for running the transport on the routes after scrutiny from the authorities while building of bus stands on Rawat, Koral Chowk and new airport would be initiated soon.
He said the capital administration has also proposed other transport routes for D-17, D-12 and E-11.
Meanwhile, Secretary Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Khalid Yameen Satti told APP that two transit routes from Rawalpindi to new International Airport have been approved by authorities.
He said 48 kilometer long route, starting from Rawat would pass through Katcheri Chowk to Saddar, Peshawar Road, Chor Chowk, Pirwadhai Mor, Golra Mor, Chungi No. 26, and Motorway Chowk and thereby reach the new airport.
The other route, he said, would commence from Koral Chowk and pass through Benazir Bhutto International Airport to Ammar Chowk, Katcheri Chowk to Saddar and Peshawar Road and would conclude at new International Airport.
He said Faisal Movers have been given approval for the transport service on the route and it would initially run thirty buses.
Satti said all the bus service companies interested in running their buses on the routes have demanded first class bus stands at Koral Chowk and Rawat, adding that Civil Aviation Authority and other concerned authorities have been approached for arrangements in this regard. APP/AFP