The Pakistani government has urged people to use the state-of-the-art Green Line Train inaugurated for boosting the country’s revenue. Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique recommended at the inauguration ceremony of the train that citizens utilise the modern travel facilities in the newly-inaugurated Green Line Train. The minister said the train would leave Margalla Railway Station (Islamabad) at 3:00pm and reach Karachi (Sindh) at 2:20pm the next day. The train would stop at Rawalpindi, Lahore, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rohri Junction and Hyderabad stations during the journey. Saad said the train would provide comfortable sleepers, WiFi, quality meals, tea, bottled water, newspapers, standard bedding and air-conditioned rooms.

He said the passengers would have the facility of online booking and e-ticketing on the official website of Pakistan Railways or through the smartphone application, which is available on the Google Play Store. He said the “gentry” services of Green Line Train had been outsourced with due diligence and after a competitive bidding process so that more revenue could be generated for the department. Saad said concerted efforts were being made to boost the revenue of the department. However, he said, financial support was imperative to undertake reforms for a revival of Pakistan Railways. The minister said Pakistan Railways had worked out a plan for branding several passenger trains and railway platforms to generate maximum revenue.

He said the branding of the trains and platforms would not only address the increasing deficit of Pakistan Railways, but also allow private firms to advertise their products. Saad said Rs200 million was required to run the day-to-day affairs of Pakistan Railways, but it was just generating Rs155 million in revenue per day. He urged the relevant stakeholders to give maximum business to Pakistan Railways for freight, which would not only ensure cargo mobility at an affordable rate, but also save the road infrastructure.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk