Rising Railway Passenger Count
Pakistan Railways announced that approximately 41.91 million passengers travelled by train during the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a significant increase of 6.51 million compared to the 35.40 million passengers in 2022-23.. This rise underscores the Rising Railway Passenger Count, highlighting the growing popularity and reliability of train travel.
Revenue Milestones Achieved
According to data released by Pakistan Railways, the total passenger earnings for the fiscal year 2023-24 amounted to Rs. 47.712 billion, surpassing the budgetary target by Rs. 8.712 billion. This represents an increase of Rs. 13.799 billion compared to the earnings of the previous financial year 2022-23. Revenue generated through other means, including freight, military traffic, property and land, and scrap, reached Rs. 39.803 billion during the same period.
Anticipated Growth in Passengers
Pakistan Railways authorities are optimistic about further increasing the number of railway passengers in the upcoming year. Special arrangements have been made to enhance the passenger experience at stations and en-route trains. This includes the provision of state-of-the-art dining cars, mobile charging sockets, and water dispensers in coaches to ensure passengers have access to clean drinking water.
Enhancements in Passenger Facilities
The Pakistan Railways department has installed Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) for convenient ticket purchasing, established information counters to guide and facilitate passengers, and introduced digital display boards for arrival and departure updates. Additionally, wheelchairs and ramps have been made available to accommodate disabled passengers.
Improving Train Punctuality
To improve the punctuality of trains, Pakistan Railways is addressing speed restrictions through special track maintenance.Additionally, engineers are enhancing the signalling system through computerized interlocking and solar system installations. Furthermore, maintenance teams are minimizing locomotive failures with timely interventions, and as a result, the fleet is inducting new passenger coaches.
Addressing Passenger Complaints
The department has established a state-of-the-art call centre under the Railway Automated Booking and Travelling Assistance (RABTA) program to redress passenger complaints. Passengers can lodge complaints on the Pakistan Railways website or through complaint registers available at stations and trains. Contractors found selling substandard products are fined and issued warnings, with termination of agreements upon receiving three fines.
Future Prospects
Pakistan Railways’ efforts to enhance passenger facilities, improve train punctuality, and address passenger complaints, therefore, reflect its commitment to providing a better travel experience. Moreover, the projected increase in passengers and revenue highlights the success of these initiatives, which further underscores the department’s dedication to continuous improvement.
This comprehensive overview underscores Pakistan Railways significant achievements and its focus on enhancing service quality and passenger satisfaction. If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!
