spancolor: #ff0000""Domestic (local) transport
Within the city there are many ways to get around. The vast range of transport available allows every person with a low or high budget to benefit. In the cities the most common types of transport include: -
Motorbikes and scooters
The motorbike and scooter are one of the most familiar sites used by many people to move around the city. They are easy to travel on and stress free compared to cars and buses. Due to government laws, it is an offence to ride a motorbike or scooter without a helmet.
Since 1999, the number of brands and varieties of motorbikes and scooters have substantially increased to suit all budgets and sizes.
Motorbikes & Scooters: A Cheap and simple way to get around the city
Ching-chee
A "ching-chee," as Pakistanis call it, is a cross between a motorcycle and auto-ricksaw is a new form of transport in Pakistan. It runs just like a motorcycle but comes with three wheels instead of two and carries a much heavier load on its back. Its seen mostly in cities for people who want to get around the city.
A CNG Auto-Rickshaw, a more fuel effient way of transportation
Auto rickshaws
A CNG Auto-Rickshaw, a more fuel effient way of transportation
The auto rickshaws are very similar to ones used in India, however the Pakistan version come in many different colours instead of the black/yellow versions India uses. The fare is usually negotiable in Pakistan which you should decide before you travel with them.
Due to the level of pollution contributed by the auto-rickshaws, the government is currently in planning with a Chicago based company to develop a CNG auto-rickshaw to lower the levels of pollution in the city. Many cities in Pakistan have placed restictions on auto-rickshaws, preventing them from travelling on certain roads in the city to cut levels of pollution.
There are many different types of auto-riskshaws in Pakistan ranging from two passengers to six seaters. There are also cargo versions that are purely used to transport cargo and parcels around the city for businesses.
Yellow Taxis Cabs
Another common sight seen at hotels and airports in Pakistan are yellow taxi cars, which are like the black cabs of London. The drivers charge according to a meter located on the dash board of the car. If they don't have one, a fare can be negotiated, the cabs drivers are reliable and will be happy to take passengers to any destination they need to get to.
Yellow/White Toyota Vans
These are privately run vans that run services throughout the city to get commuters from one point to another. They are also referred to as "mini-buses" as they are like smaller versions of coaches, but get commuters to their destinations more quickly.
Buses
Daewoo City Bus
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Daewoo City Bus
This is a relatively cheap and easy way to get around the city if you don't have enough to spend on taxis and chauffeur driven cars. In the cities the buses are run by the government as well as many private companies. The Daewoo Bus Company runs many of the inner city buses with latest state of the art buses that make very little pollution.
From 2000, the government has banned old, excessively polluting, poorly run buses from cities, to deal with the pollution levels that have become a problem in many cities in Pakistan.
The buses are given numbers according to which routes they are travelling or if in doubt there is usually a ticket person who you can ask for directions and fares. The buses do start to run late during the early morning and evening when traffic in the cities becomes very chaotic as many communters try to get to or from work.
Coaches
The Daewoo City Bus has developed a new air-conditioned bus that is very modern and comes with air conditioning for the high temperatures experienced in the summers. These buses are a great way to get around the city if one wants to view the city. The buses are constantly running during the day so it is easy to get on another one throughout the day.
For long distance journeys from city to city (e.g. Lahore to Islamabad), the Sammi Daewoo Express coaches have proven to be a great success in intercity travel as well as in the cities. The Sammi Daewoo express bus service provides services on more than 18 routes and operates more than 325 departures per day in Pakistan. The service are available in most cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Sialkot, Murree and many others including many future destinations.
Cars
The London Black Cab - arriving soon in Pakistan
Cars owners are increasing at a huge rate as the middle class is growing at an incredible pace. The number of car manufacturers in Pakistan have also increased with spancolor: #ff0000""Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, BMW, Nissan, Toyota and Honda showrooms springing up in many of the cities in Pakistan.
In the cities many people prefer to get compact cars such as the Suzuki Mehran, Hyundai Santro, Chevrolet Joy and Toyota Vitz. Due to an increase in demand, the Adam Motor Company has developed Pakistan's first own manufactured car called Revo.
Recently, two more European car manufacturers will introduce their latest models in Pakistan. French company Renault and German Volkswagen will introduce their ranges of cars in Pakistan by the end of this calendar year (2006). Renault will promote its Logan models that have proven to be very popular overseas.
In late 2005, Suzuki introduced the APV (All-Purpose Vehicle) the first luxury family van in Pakistan. Manufactured in Indonesia, the 1.5 litre petrol manual-transmission became an instant hit. It was large, affordable (at Pak Rupees one million or ten lakh) and above all 'luxurious'. By mid 2006, Suzuki had announced an automatic-transmission version.
The government has also allowed a consortium of four investors, including an Arab and three Pakistani investors, to introduce the Black Cab in Pakistan, that is seen on the streets of London everyday. However the decision soon became embroidled in controversy when the awarding of the license was chellanged in the Supreme Court on grounds of corruption etc.
Utility Vehicles
The number of utiltiy vehicles (SUVs or 4x4s) have become a familiar site in Pakistan. This type of car is very multi functional as it allows long distance and off road travel, within cities as well as city to city travel. Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, Kia Sportage and Range Rover are a familiar scene, however BMW X5 could also be seen being driven by the wealthy elite.