Pakistan Railways (PR) is losing at least Rs 3.5 million revenue on daily basis as divisional administration has failed to ensure adequate transport arrangements on the eve of winter vacations. Commuters are set to visit their hometowns to celebrate winter vocations, and religious festivals such as Eid Millad-un-Nabi (PBUH) and Christmas with their near and dears.
But they are running from pillar to post to reserve tickets due to heavy passenger rush at the PR's reservation offices located in Karachi Cantt Station, Landhi, Awami Markaz, Nazimabad, Airport, Keamari, and City Station office. Sources said: "reservation is not available in both upper and economy-class coaches till the end of this month." People intending to go to their destinations would ultimately opt for alternate means of transportation after failure to book seats in PR, which will cost PR hue revenue.
As many as 50,000 passengers travel from Karachi to other parts of the country by cheap and comfortable train service on a daily basis. The number of commuters goes up on special occasions like winter vocation, and Eid festivals prompting PR management to either attach additional coaches with bogies or to operate special train service for that certain period of time. Last year 'winter special non-stop train' was operated from Karachi to Lahore on December 20, officials said.
However this year, the divisional administration is yet to come up with such a plan creating travel difficulties for commuters, besides loosing huge source of revenue to the ailing public entity. Muqaddar Zaman, President Mazdoor Railway Union said "Every day, some 2500 to 3000 passengers have to return homes disappointed due to non-availability of reservation. The officials should arrange additional coaches to avoid the heavy rush of passengers in this season."
Manzoor Ahmad Razi, Central President Railways' Workers Union, also urged the PR administration to operate two special trains with a view to cater to the growing commuters travel demands. PR's Divisional Superintendent Nisar Memon told Business Recorder: "We have not decided to operate winter special train yet as last year, we face passenger shortage on the way back to Karachi from Lahore". "Additional coaches were annexed with some trains however the reservation is full for the next few days. We are going to add further coaches as our engines are capable enough to drag more coaches," he concluded.