The overall punctuality ratio of train services has improved from 63 to 80% owing to close monitoring by Pakistan Railways at the divisional and ministry levels. “With the punctuality of trains and other measures taken by the present government during the last nine months, the number of passengers has increased by over 20 million,” according to an official.

He said the punctuality of passenger trains was around 60% during the tenure of the previous government, which was now improving on the directives of Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique. The official said the government had taken several steps to end the deficit of railways department, including introduction of Raabta, an initiative geared towards enhanced customer facilitation.

“Raabta platform lets customers plan the trip, check train status, choose and purchase seat, order car rental, meals and refreshment, and book hotels,” he added. To facilitate passengers, he said a mobile application “Pakrail Live” had been launched for real-time tracking of trains.The official said the high-capacity/high-speed hopper trucks had been inducted in the current fleet for swift movement/unloading of coal and new high-capacity high-speed rolling stock coaches and wagons were being procured.

He said the online e-ticketing through JazzCash, UBL Omini and credit cards had been introduced to facilitate passengers at their doorstep and to attract more passengers through outsourcing of noncore activity. “A policy for transfer of technology is being pursued in collaboration with the People’s Republic of China for indigenisation of railways rolling stock,” he added.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk