Karachi:
In a last development, Pakistan Railways has started the externalization process of 11 more trains, which will now operate under the public-private association model (PPP). However, critics have argued that the movement openly aimed at improving rail services could be a ticket for the exclusion of low -income passengers that depend largely on cheap transportation modes between cities.
Although rail officials affirm that subcontracting will improve the quality of services, civil society representatives have expressed deep concerns about movement, which can lead to higher rates, creating difficulties for disadvantaged masses. It is worth noting that railway trips in Pakistan are still considered a popular cheap transport mode for poor and middle -class groups. According to estimates, around 100,000 people travel daily in trains, mainly in the main railway routes between Karachi and several cities in Punjab.
A passenger, Muhabbat Ali, who frequently traveled from Larkana to Karachi in the Mohenjo-Daro Express, revealed that although several bus operators operated on this route, he preferred to travel by train due to the reasonable rate and a relatively comfortable trip.
Malik Tanveer Awan, a Karachi headquarters, revealed that he frequently traveled to Punjab by train. “While a slight increase in the rate may not affect salaried people, even an increase in minor rates could seriously affect workers who travel from Punjab to Karachi for work. Pakistan Railways should book some economic trainers in PPP trains without tariff walk, ensuring the affordability for low -income passengers,” AWAN requested.
According to the sources of the Express PAkGazette, Pakistan Railways currently operates a total of 47 trains, of which 11 have already been subcontracted, while 11 more are offered for the public-private operation. According to the Pakistan Railroad Administration, the trains that are subcontract include Mail Bolan (Karachi A Quetta), Hazara Express (Karachi A Havelian), Khushhal Khan Khattak Express (Karachi to Peshawar), Bahawal Din Zakariya Express (Karachi a finen), Shalimars (Karachi To lahore), Mushaore), Mustore), Mustore), Mushaore), Mushaore), Mushaore), Mushaore), Mustore). (Dera Ghazi Khan to Lahore), Thal Express (fine at Rawalpindi), Mehran Express (Karachi to Mirpurkhas), Mohenjo Daro Passenger (Kotri A Rohri) and Rawalpindi Express (have Rawalpindi).
According to Zahid Farooq, an expert in urban planning at the Urban Resources Center (URC), trains are still a preferred mode of transport for work class, therefore, any increase in rates will disproportionately affect this segment. “Pakistan Railways’s decision to deliver more trains to private operators will gradually reduce government control over railroads. As a result, the government cannot provide relief to the public in the future by executing special trains on vacation or reducing rates on special occasions. Therefore, delivering trains to private operators is not the correct way to improve rail services,” Farooq said Review of the setback railways is not the correct way to revive rail services “, while the government suggested that the government of the correct review of the correct review can increase,” he said that the government can increase the correct review of the railway services “, while the government can increase the government of the correct revision of the review of the railroads,”, while the government can increase the correct revision of Railway services, “he said that the government can increase its rental of the railroads. Services.
Hamid Qureshi, a divisional commercial (DCO) officer of the Pakistan railroads in Karachi, told the Express PAkGazette that under the PPP model, no increases in rates of more than 10 percent were allowed. “Therefore, you can only expect a minor rate increase, but in return, passenger services will be improved. PPP trains are equipped with water dispensers and Wi-Fi; comforts that are not commonly available in regular trains,” said Qureshi.
