Pakistan railways (PR) increased passenger trains by 2% following an increase in diesel prices. The freight sector has also experienced adjustments, with 3% coal levels and fertilizer rates of 2%, managers confirmed, said Express News.
The price of diesel increased by Rs 11.37 per liter, imposing an additional daily cost of Rs 3.99 million and a monthly burden of around 119.5 million rupees on the state operator.
Pakistan railways consume about 350,000 liters of diesel per day.
Meanwhile, PR is preparing to relaunch the renovated Pak Business Express, a public-private partnership train (PPP) which collapsed due to operational and financial problems.
Read: PR is preparing for New Business Express
The Prime Minister should inaugurate the reworked train in the coming days, promising improved coaches, better seats, Wi-Fi and improved catering.
Launched in 2012 under a PPP between the Pakistani railways and the Four Brothers group, the train was intended to modernize travel on the road to Lahore-Karachi.
The private partner managed the services on board while public relations provided locomotives and access to the track. However, the company was faced with the internal resistance of the rail bureaucracy and the financial mismanagement of the private company.
Payment defects have led to legal disputes and, by 2015, PR has taken up total control, ending the partnership.
