Passenger train fares increased again amid fuel price hike

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways has again announced an increase in all passenger train fares from Friday, July 19, due to the rising petroleum product prices.

According to the Railways Department notification, the fares for all passenger train services, including economy, AC standard, AC business, and AC parlour classes, have been raised by 1%.

Furthermore, it stated that the fare increase applies to mail, express, and intercity passenger trains and trains operating under public-private partnerships. The Railways Department has directed all divisional superintendents to update the fare table accordingly.

Previously, Pakistan Railways hiked train fares just weeks after the national railway operator announced a 3% increase in freight rates across the board, effective from July 3.

However, Pakistan Railways did not provide any relief to passengers when fuel prices decreased previously but has promptly implemented the latest fare increase following the recent rise in petroleum product prices.

Pakistan Railways spokesperson said that the department earned a record Rs 88 billion in the outgoing fiscal year 2023-24, exceeding its original target of Rs 73 billion.“This is the record revenue generation by the railways in its history,” the spokesperson said.