MULTAN: Railways is going to operate a faster air-conditioned night coach soon from Multan to Rawalpindi that would cut the travelling time by three to four hours.

Officials sources said that Multan-Rawalpindi Meher Express that takes around 12 to 13 hours to reach Rawalpindi would be transformed into an air-conditioned night coach, however, it would happen after revival of Thal Express.

Sources said that Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had ordered during his recent visit to Multan to revive the Thal Express within a month.

After revival, Thal Express would replace Meher Express and take its existing route and schedule. And, the Meher Express then would be transformed into a fully air-conditioned Rawalpindi-Multan night coach.

At present, Meher Express runs from Multan to Rawalpindi via Muzaffargarh, Kotaddu, Layyah, and Kundian and take almost 12 to 13 hours to reach Rawalpindi.

After conversion into AC night coach, Meher Express would leave Multan 7 or 7:30 pm and would have only two-minute stop each at twelve stations to reach Rawalpindi 5 am in only nine hours instead of twelve. The Commercial division of Railways Multan division has started making assessments regarding expected income and increase in passengers.