Train passengers have complained that the condition of coaches is still pathetic despite sharp increase in fares. During a survey conducted on Saturday, passengers at Multan Railway Station expressed concern over lack of travel facilities. Khuda Bakhsh, a passenger who had tickets for Mehr Express, said that the Railways has made an increase of Rs 90 in Multan-Rawalpindi fare.
He said that the condition of coaches has been deteriorating despite a sharp increase in fares. According to him, the lighting system is poor and fans are non-functional in most bogeys. Muhammad Asad, who arrived in Multan from Karachi in Tezgam, expressed annoyance over poor cleanliness in the train. He said that seats were covered with dust and the compartment was infested with empty juice boxes and shopping bags.
"There was no arrangement for collection of trash," he complained. Nasir Abbas, coming from Lahore in the Moosa Pak Express, said that most of the foodstuff, including juices, cold drinks, potato chips, toffees and tea served during the travel were of poor quality. "Why don't concerned authorities take steps to improve facilities in trains?" he questioned.
A Pakistan Railways official, Bashir Ahmed Khan, when contacted said that passengers were themselves responsible for poor cleanliness in trains. He regretted that passengers do not cooperate with railway officials in maintaining cleanliness in trains. According to him, passengers travelling in trains spit on floors and throw away leftover food and wrappers in bogeys. He said that the railway staff clean all coaches at destination.
According to him, the condition of coaches deteriorates as soon as people start boarding it. He said that 'vigilance staff' would be deputed to keep a check on ticketing officers who charge fine money from non-ticket holders but do not deposit it in the Railways account. Plan is underway to improve seats, lights and fans, he added.
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