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Urdu in Pakistan


Local Transportation: Buses, Taxis and Rickshaws

A yellow taxi stopped alongside the road, with doors open

Many privately owned local buses can be identified by their elaborate decorations, but state-owned local buses are usually plain. Local buses are not a good form of transportation for visitors who do not yet know their way around. Although the buses have fixed routes, stops are rarely marked and it would be extremely easy to miss a stop and get lost. In these instances, taxis and rickshaws are the safer method of travel. Many local buses will have a front portion of the bus reserved for women.
To get a taxi simply wave down an empty one along the road. All taxis have meters, however, sometimes the meters are running fast. Visitors would be advised to check with hosts or hotel staff ahead of time about reasonable prices. Upon waving down a taxi, ask the driver the cost to the destination. If the price named by the driver is too high, say so and let that taxi move on and wave down another one. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped. While it is generally safe for women to be out alone during daylight hours, it is not a good idea to be out alone after dark.


Videos


Audio

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  • "How much?"

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  • "It's too much."

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  • "Stop here."

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  • "To the airport, please."

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  • "Would you go to the university?"

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Images

  • Taxi  with driver
    Driver posing with his taxicab
  • Rickshaw
    Man getting out of a rickshaw