Railways gets Rs 485 million as income from two trains

The Pakistan Railways Advisory and Consultancy System (Pracs) has paid Rs 485 million to Pakistan Railways (PR) as income from two trains, Hazara and Rohi Express, during one year.
The Pakistan Railways has submitted the statement of Rs 358 million (Rs 283 million from Hazara (Chenab) and Rs 75.15 million Rohi) whereas with an increase of 10 percent Pracs paid Rs 485 million for one year, said a Pracs official, on condition of anonymity, mere on Saturday.
Talking to Business Recorder, the official said that after the launch of the trains, Pracs has succeeded in attracting 40 percent more passengers. "We took these two trains as challenge and fulfilled the commitment by providing better facilities to passengers", he said, adding the Hazara and Rohi trains were launched in February last and after one year, Pracs is satisfied with their performance.
He declined to give exact figure of total income from the two trains during one year, saying the calculations are still under process. But, there are possibilities of Rs 100 million net profit to Pracs from these two trains, the official.
The PR has launched six more trains, even then Pracs kept its promise of better communication and earned good profit. "We paid more than expected to Railways while they saved huge money which was to be spent on manpower and infrastructure development of these two trains, including special concessions for marriage parties, groups, senior citizens and students", he added.
Complete hygienic condition of trains, timely departure and arrival, quality food and water on cheaper rates has helped PRACS to meet the challenge to run these two trains on profitability, he said and added that full electricity and water supply, full time fans are being assured. He said that sweepers, electricians and other support staff is travelling with train to give maximum the passengers. Medical facility is also provided in the trains, he added.
He said that food package of Rs 30 was appreciated by people. A mobile PCO, dinning car with modern facilities, tuck shop with quality beverages and food items are other attractions.
The official said Pracs has set up its offices at Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, and Batagram to facilities the people. Ticketing, he said, was also made easy and computerised and the passengers would get return ticket from anywhere in the country. The system was set up at every railway station and reservation point to facilitate the people.
The Rohi Express is regularly running between Rawalpindi and Khanpur via Lala Mosa, Jhang, Sargodha, Khanewal and Shorkot whereas the Hazara Express between Havelian and Karachi via Rawalpindi and Multan.