Travelling around the Punjab in Pakistan is easy and you can choose from the very comfortable Daewoo intercity coaches, which are air-conditioned, or the local buses which have natural air conditioning, meaning that all the windows and doors are open. There are also minivans for travelling both long and short distances, auto rickshaws that come in various sizes and taxis, of course.
Minivans or ‘Wagons’ as They are Called Locally
Minivans or ‘wagons’ can be used for intercity travel or to get you from A to B in a particular area, for example from Rawalpindi to Islamabad, which are the Twin Cities of Pakistan. The ones that take you shorter distances are usually old, and not very comfortable.
You have to get on these ‘wagons’, at a designated stop but you can get off virtually anywhere en route. For intercity transport these are cheaper than coaches and faster so are a good way to travel. However the drivers will wait until the minivan is full before leaving. There is no set timetable.
Female Passengers May Have Some Difficulties
If you are female, there is often a problem with seating arrangements, even if you are travelling with a male companion.
If you are a lone female, you will be put into the front seat next to the driver, rather having to sit with males in the back of the minivan. However if you are travelling with a male, you might have to sit behind the driver if the front seat is occupied.
Later on in the journey, an unaccompanied female might get on to the ‘wagon’, and the male passengers in the front seat will be moved and you will also be expected to move and sit in the front with the unknown female, who will occupy as much of the front seat as possible. The only way around this is to pay for three seats instead of two, and explain to the conductor that you do not intend moving during the journey. This will earn you some dirty looks from female passengers, but you should ignore them if you want to stay with your companion and don’t want to play a version of musical chairs.
Auto Rickshaws Will Transport You Around Cities
Auto rickshaws are powered by motor scooters and will take from two to six passengers. They run on natural gas or in some cases in Rawalpindi on liquid petroleum gas, as the authorities are trying to cut down on the pollution caused by vehicles. They are not the safest form of transport, as the larger ones can’t seem to manoeuvre very well around roundabouts.
You can hail a closed two-seater rickshaw from anywhere along a road, but before getting in it is advisable to negotiate the fare with the driver.
Larger Auto Rickshaws for Six Passengers
The auto rickshaws that can accommodate six passengers are usually colourfully painted like the large trucks that can be seen on the roads. You pay a standard fare on these and are generally asked to alight at designated stops, although drivers will allow you to get off wherever you want on their route most of the time.
Try to sit at the front near the driver, as it is precarious at the back, especially if there are donkeys pulling carts behind the rickshaw. These donkeys are often decorated with henna designs, for good luck and protection from traffic accidents, and look attractive, but they can get a little too close for comfort.
Local Buses are Colourful in All Senses of the Word
These buses are very colourfully decorated and connect towns and villages in the local area. Some are used for longer routes, and you can choose whether or not to use these or the Daewoo coaches. You can smoke on these buses, and might find yourself sharing a space with a goat or some chickens. The exterior of these buses is usually highly decorated, like the trucks and the smaller vans and auto rickshaws. The people travelling on these are naturally curious and will attempt to communicate with you, offering food and cigarettes or water. It is always advisable to take water with you as it is not always available on buses.
Taking a Taxi is Cheap
Taxis are the same as everywhere else in the world, although Pakistani drivers are usually reliable, and the rates are cheap. You can negotiate with a driver and hire him for a day or half a day at very reasonable rates.
Whatever form of transport you choose, it will be an adventure to recount to your friends and relatives when you get back home. Travelling in Pakistan always seems to be an adventure, and sometimes it really is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.
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Lynne Evans - I have a BA(hons) in English and American Lit, and a MEd in TEFL and multicultural education.I have been a consultant in the fields of ...
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