Few days back i had to visit an embassy located in Diplomatic Enclave Islamabad. It was my first visit since the intense security measures have been implemented in the area. About 5 gates like Sareena Hotel side gate and PM Secretariat side gate were closed for General use and only gate one was there to enter the diplomatic enclave. It was disturbing for me as i had to cover about 3 KM for entering the diplomatic enclave through only available gate at Quaid-e-Azam University and Bari Imam road.
Any how i passed through a security check post at main entrance and reached in front of Diplomatic Shuttle Service Terminal.
At entrance gate i was told that i have to get ticket of Diplomatic Shuttle Service to visit any embassy there. Also i was told to submit my shoulder bag at a cabin just outside the Shuttle Service terminal.
Right at the entrance of terminal there were two host ladies appointed for guiding the passengers for their queries if any. They told me that there are two type of tickets available at a single window.
Type 1 ticket costs Rs. 200 and it takes about 40 min for that to leave for embassies. While other one costs about 500 and would take 5 minutes to leave for embassies onwards. I had about 30 minutes to reach the embassy at scheduled time. So instead of taking risk of being late i decided to go through 5 min service which costs about Rs. 500.
So i went to counter and also let me tell you that before buying the ticket, i had to handover my cell phone at a counter. It was a long time since i was out of home without my cell phone. I realized that people with wrist watch were able to note time when required. Any how i bought the ticket worth Rs. 500 for total distance of about 3 Km (both sides).
Some people bought same ticket for even further less distance as there required embassies were just at start of embassy area.
There at embassy i confirmed them my presence and waited there for some time. And i was shocked to note that shuttle service with ticket for Rs. 200 passed from route just with 5 minutes difference.
And later it was confirmed that both services (Rs. 500 and 200) are passing with some time difference.
Actually there was no fixed time for any of both types. Shuttle was launched as soon as their required number of passengers is there. Most condemnable is misguidance of staff who motivate the visitors to buy costly tickets by telling the wrong rules about service time.
I raise a question that under what rules the shuttle service charges have been applied?
There should be only one type of charges and charges should be according to public transport rules appiled in Rawalpindi Islamabad.
Any how i passed through a security check post at main entrance and reached in front of Diplomatic Shuttle Service Terminal.
At entrance gate i was told that i have to get ticket of Diplomatic Shuttle Service to visit any embassy there. Also i was told to submit my shoulder bag at a cabin just outside the Shuttle Service terminal.
Right at the entrance of terminal there were two host ladies appointed for guiding the passengers for their queries if any. They told me that there are two type of tickets available at a single window.
Type 1 ticket costs Rs. 200 and it takes about 40 min for that to leave for embassies. While other one costs about 500 and would take 5 minutes to leave for embassies onwards. I had about 30 minutes to reach the embassy at scheduled time. So instead of taking risk of being late i decided to go through 5 min service which costs about Rs. 500.
So i went to counter and also let me tell you that before buying the ticket, i had to handover my cell phone at a counter. It was a long time since i was out of home without my cell phone. I realized that people with wrist watch were able to note time when required. Any how i bought the ticket worth Rs. 500 for total distance of about 3 Km (both sides).
Some people bought same ticket for even further less distance as there required embassies were just at start of embassy area.
There at embassy i confirmed them my presence and waited there for some time. And i was shocked to note that shuttle service with ticket for Rs. 200 passed from route just with 5 minutes difference.
And later it was confirmed that both services (Rs. 500 and 200) are passing with some time difference.
Actually there was no fixed time for any of both types. Shuttle was launched as soon as their required number of passengers is there. Most condemnable is misguidance of staff who motivate the visitors to buy costly tickets by telling the wrong rules about service time.
I raise a question that under what rules the shuttle service charges have been applied?
There should be only one type of charges and charges should be according to public transport rules appiled in Rawalpindi Islamabad.
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pathetic...these shuttles should be FREE of cost anyways
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