Punjab’s new Murree Glass Train will run between Islamabad’s Lake View Park and Murree, offering eco-friendly monorail travel with scenic views and standard and premium fares.
PMA Shares First Official Details of Murree Glass Train
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA) has released the first official details of the Murree Glass Train, an upcoming electric monorail project designed to make travel between Islamabad and the popular hill station easier and more enjoyable. The system aims to give tourists and residents a safe, fast and scenic alternative to crowded, winding roads that often suffer from traffic jams, especially during the holiday season.
According to officials, the glass-walled train is being positioned as both a transport solution and a tourist attraction. With panoramic views of the hills, valleys and forests along the route, the journey is meant to feel like an experience in itself rather than just a way to reach Murree.
Route, Stations and Travel Time
The proposed route will run from Lake View Park in Islamabad to a station near the Murree bus stop. PMA estimates that the full one-way journey will take around 40 minutes, offering a much more predictable travel time compared to road trips that can stretch out due to congestion or bad weather.
The Murree Glass Train plan currently includes four key stations:
- Lake View Park (starting point in Islamabad)
• Chattar Park Station
• Ghora Gali Station
• Murree Bus Station (end point near Murree’s main transport hub)
Most of the track between Lake View Park and Pindi Point in Murree will be elevated, covering around 40 km. This elevated design is meant to reduce land disturbance, avoid road-level conflicts and deliver wide open views of the surrounding landscape.
Ticket Fares and Travel Experience
PMA has announced two main fare categories for the Murree Glass Train. Standard tickets will cost Rs. 500, while Premium tickets have been set at Rs. 1,000. The premium class is expected to offer added comfort and possibly better viewing positions, making it attractive for tourists who want a more relaxed, scenic ride.
Because the train runs on an electric monorail system, it is being promoted as an eco-friendly option with lower emissions than traditional road transport. By shifting a portion of car and bus traffic to the monorail, officials hope to reduce fuel consumption, noise and air pollution along the busy Murree corridor. At the same time, the glass-walled carriages will be designed to showcase the natural beauty of the area, turning the journey into an “entertaining sojourn” for passengers looking to escape city stress.
Future Connectivity: Airport and Rawalpindi Links
Planning documents shared with Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials suggest that the project could eventually be linked with Islamabad International Airport. A meeting at CDA headquarters reviewed a pre-feasibility study by Nespak, which proposed connecting the glass train to the airport via Faizabad.
From the airport to Faizabad, CDA’s existing metro track could potentially be used for the elevated monorail. The consultant also suggested building a 13 km stretch from Faizabad to near the Bhara Kahu bypass, linking it with a main station set up between Lake View Park and the bypass. In a later phase, another track from Rawat to Faizabad via the Expressway could be added, giving the monorail system much wider regional reach and making it easier for tourists and foreign delegations to reach both Islamabad and Murree in a shorter time.
Feasibility, Terrain and Project Timeline
Officials have stressed that the project is technically feasible despite Murree’s steep and hilly terrain. They point out that Murree sits at around 2,200 metres above sea level, similar to Shimla in India, where a rail link was laid as far back as 1906. The feasibility study for the Murree Glass Train has already been completed, and the Punjab government, working through Nespak, is helping CDA finalise the pre-feasibility for linked sections.
While the exact launch date and full operational schedule have not yet been announced, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has repeatedly called for an early start to the project. She has told gatherings in Murree that the glass train will be launched soon, highlighting it as a flagship tourism and transport initiative for the province.
What the Murree Glass Train Means for Travellers
For travellers, the Murree Glass Train promises a smoother, more predictable and more scenic way to reach the hill station. Instead of worrying about road closures, fog, or long queues of vehicles on the old Murree Road, passengers will be able to enjoy a 40-minute ride with clear views and fixed fares. The project also signals a broader shift toward cleaner, rail-based solutions for tourism corridors in Pakistan.
If the system delivers on its promises, it could reduce pressure on mountain roads, support local businesses by bringing in more organised tourist traffic and set a model for similar glass train or monorail projects in other scenic regions. For now, all eyes will be on the Punjab Mass Transit Authority and CDA as they move from planning and feasibility to construction and, eventually, full-scale operations.
