Pakistan Railways (PR) has increased passenger train rates by 2% after an increase in diesel prices. The cargo sector has also seen adjustments, with coal rates by 3% and fertilizer rates by 2%, the authorities confirmed, said Express News.
The price of diesel increased by RS 11.37 per liter, imposing an additional daily cost of 3.99 million and a monthly charge of around RS 119.5 million in the state operator.
Pakistan Railways consumes approximately 350,000 liters of diesel per day.
Meanwhile, PR is preparing to relaunch the remnated Pak Business Express, a public-private partnership trains (PPP) once celebrated that then collapsed due to operational and financial problems.
Read: GELSPRS for New Business Express
The prime minister is expected to inaugurate the renewed train in the next few days, promising improved coaches, better seats, Wi-Fi and improved restoration.
Released in 2012 under a PPP between Pakistan Railways and Four Brothers Group, the train intended to modernize trips on the Lahore-Karachi route.
The private partner administered on board services, while PR provided locomotives and monitoring access. However, the company faced the internal resistance of the railway bureaucracy and the bad financial management by the private company.
Payment breaches led to legal disputes, and for 2015, PR took total control, finishing the association.
