First CPEC passenger bus leaves for Kashgar from Lahore

LAHORE: China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passenger bus service on the route between Lahore and Kashgar, was launched late Monday.

“The initiative to connect Pakistan and China via road under CPEC, passengers will require a valid visa and identity card to travel,” said officials concerned.

Press Information Department in its tweet said, that the Kashgar-bound bus had left for its maiden journey from Lahore, which will take 36 hours to reach Chinese province of Xinjiang.

Kashgar bound bus has left on its maiden journey from the Lahore and will take 36 hours to reach Chinese province Xinjiang. 🇵🇰🇨🇳
The bus service is part of the initiative to connect Pakistan and China via road under #CPEC and will be a boon for the business community. pic.twitter.com/GXWRi3C8CQ

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) November 6, 2018

Inaugural ceremony of the CPEC passenger bus service was postponed on last Saturday (November 3), scheduled to leave for Kashgar on the same very day.

Responding to the critics of the service, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, Dr Muhammad Faisal categorically rejected purported protest by India over the bus service through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

CPEC Passenger Bus Service

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passenger bus service is a 30-hour long trip and passengers will get to enjoy view of beautiful sights of northern Pakistan during the journey. Cameras have been placed inside the bus to ensure security of the passengers.

As per the schedule issued by authorized operator, the bus service will run four days a week from Lahore to Tashkurgan: The departure from Lahore would be on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday while departure from Tashkurgan would be Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The passengers can book their seats either from Lahore or Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

It offers premium and luxurious buses, comfortable journey, better en-route services that include breakfast, lunch, dinner refreshment beverages, tea, and snacks, while fast Wi-Fi service would also provided throughout the journey, according to the statement.

The passengers have been asked to book their seats at-least a week before travel while the charges of CPEC Passenger Bus Service for comfortable journey between the two countries include: One way ticket from Lahore to Taskurgan – Rs13000 per seat.

One way ticket from Tashkurgan to Lahore – RMB 600 (equivalent to Rs11,475 under current exchange rate). Return Ticket Rs 23000.

The travel documents required: Passport, CNIC, Valid Visa, original invitation from China and ticket.