Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Murree has become one of the most favourite destinations for the local tourists and families especially during the Winter season when a large number of visitors from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad throng the nearest hilly destination to enjoy the picturesque beauty and snowfall.

However, the unavailability of decent and affordable transport most of the time make it difficult for them to visit the scenic hill resort and surrounding areas for excursion purposes and obviously to commune with nature.

“It is hard for those who do not have their own transport to visit the hilly area and enjoy the beauties of nature. Murree is the most nearest and fascinating hilly place near us but the local transport available for visiting the place is not less than a nightmare,” Shahzad Malik who frequently travels to Murree said.

“Families cannot travel in the packed local vans to visit Murree and cabs fares are not affordable. There is dire need of some decent transport with affordable fares for the local tourists who visit the place in a large number”, he said while talking to APP.

Another visitor, Ishtiaq Ahmed said the government should introduce state-of-the-art exclusive bus service at least to the nearby picnic points.

The buses should be equipped with family friendly facilities like toilets, baby changing stations and wifi, he added. “The government should also mull over the launching of environmental friendly transport to hilly stations for preserving the environment and ensure that the picnickers breath in clean air what they are there for instead of vehicle smoke,” he opined.

Shaista who belongs to Murree said, “Many a time we want to have a sigh of relief from this humdrum life and go to some hilly area like Murree with family but could not pursue it thinking of the task of finding convenient, affordable and secure transport to travel”. “Our last experience of visiting Murree on local transport was quite expensive and unnerving for all of us. We faced many problems in getting transport while returning to home in evening,” she said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the fares of local buses ply on the routes from twin cities to Murree and related spots charge Rs 450 to Rs 800 per person for one-way trip while the cabs driver charge Rs 2000 to Rs 3000. Thousands of visitors travels to Murree during the peak seasons especially to enjoy snowfall and hustle and bustle of Mall Road as well as to beat summer heat during summer season.