If you travel between PIMS and Gulberg Greens, the Blue Bus is probably the easiest way to do it. It is one of CDA’s electric bus lines, clean and quiet, and it connects the busy hospital area of Islamabad with the societies along the Expressway in one smooth ride.
The full Blue Line runs from PIMS Hospital all the way to Koral Chowk, covering around 17 to 20 kilometres. The trip end to end takes about 30 to 40 minutes in normal traffic, which is much faster than driving the same route during rush hour.
Stations on the Blue Bus Route
The Blue Line covers roughly a dozen stops between its two ends. Starting from PIMS, the main stations include the G-7/G-8 intersection, H-8/Shakarparian, the I-8/Parade Ground area, Faizabad, Sohan, Iqbal Town, Kuri Road, Zia Masjid, Khanna Pul, and finally Koral Chowk near the Gulberg interchange.
Faizabad is the busiest interchange on this route, because it connects with the Red Line metro as well. Many commuters switch lines here to continue toward Rawalpindi or the Blue Area side of Islamabad.
Timings, Fare & Travel Tips
Buses on the Blue Line typically run from around 6:00 in the morning until 10:00 at night, every day of the week. Frequency is generally every 10 to 15 minutes, though it can vary slightly during off-peak hours.
The fare has changed a couple of times in recent years, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee: the standard fare is typically Rs 50 per ride. If you ride regularly, a rechargeable metro card saves you the queue at the counter every time.
Try to travel outside the morning and evening office rush if you can, because the bus fills up fast around 9 AM and 6 PM. And if you are visiting, keep in mind that the Blue Line is fully electric, so the ride is noticeably quieter than older city buses.