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Transportation
Modes
The streets of
Karachi are full of
all kinds of
transportation
modes. Since a mass
transit system is
not available, you
will find Karachi
commuters using a
variety of
transport—from buses
and minibuses to
motor rickshaws,
taxis and buggies
and even donkey
carts. Many of
Karachi pavements
have been usurped by
stalls making it
difficult to walk,
and then there is
the added problem of
speeding buses.
Everybody seems to
be in a hurry to get
somewhere, so right
of way for
pedestrians is
hardly ever conceded
by drivers. You
might find it
advisable to walk
only in areas where
streets are too
narrow for vehicular
traffic or in
shopping areas where
it is essential to
walk to enjoy the
ambiance.
Buses and
Minibuses are
the cheapest but
possibly the most
uncomfortable way of
traveling. Buses ply
on routes from
anywhere to
everywhere. They are
usually packed with
people, so getting a
seat may be
difficult. Separate
seating is provided
for women, however,
unless used to
Karachi buses,
traveling in
Metro-buses will be
more convenient for
them.
The
recently-introduced
air-conditioned
Metro Buses ply on
selected routes.
Route #9-8: New
Sabzi Mandi-Safoora
Goth-Safari Park-Jauhar
Square-Dalmia-Aga
Khan Hospital-Bahadurabad-Tariq
Road-Nursery-Saddar.
Route #20-.
Saddar-Cantt.
Station-Schon Circle
(Agha's
Supermarket)-Mazaar
of Abdullah Shah
Ghazi-Clifton
Village. Route
Mansehra Express:
Sharafi Goth-Dawood
Chowrangi-Quaidabad-Malir
Halt-Natha Khan
Goth-Nursery-Saddar.
Fare: Rs. 3,5,7 &
10.
When travelling
in a bus, beware of
pickpockets!
Rickshaw is a
three wheeler
motor-driven taxi.
Although some might
consider them
unsafe, there are
many who use them
regularly,
particularly as they
are available at
half the fare of
taxis. It is an
interesting way to
travel, preferably
for short
distances—you are
exposed to pollution
and noise, and
rather uncomfortable
if, on a hot day you
get stuck in a
traffic jam. Bargain
with the driver
before hiring a
rickshaw (official
fare: Rs.3/km).
Taxi is a
comfortable but
expensive way of
traveling around the
city. Yellow Cabs
are widely available
and theoretically
should operate on a
meter—but hardly any
of the meters work.
Official fares are:
Rs. 5/km for black
taxis, Rs. 6/km for
small Yellow Cabs
and Rs. 7/km for
large Yellow Cabs;
however, it is best
to settle the fare
before embarking on
your journey. Hotel
Taxis can be hired
for the day, but the
fare is considerably
higher than yellow
cabs.
Buggies are
horse-driven carts,
usually found
outside big hotels
and in front of
Frere Hall on
Abdullah Haroon
Road. They are a
leisurely and
comfortable way of
exploring the city
especially in the
evenings. Bargain
for a good rate
before hiring your
buggy.
Caution:
Women should be
careful not to ride
taxis alone at
night. |
