Railways’ revenue surges 48% during Eidul Azha

Minister Rafique claims discount offers working like a charm

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways’ revenue surged Rs48.544 million year-on-year, claimed minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, through discount offers on its passenger segment during Eidul Azha.

Railways is one of the preferred modes of transportation with passenger traffic witnessing a phenomenal surge during holidays. Its revenue during the three-day break was up 47.5%, according to statistics shared by the state-owned entity.



“The increasing number of passengers and the revenue stream demonstrates public trust on the state-owned corporation,” Rafique said in a statement. “We are thankful to the passengers who opted to travel with railways and we will continue our efforts to make the journey more comfortable in the future,” he added.

Since the incumbent minister took charge, he has made a practice of announcing discounts on special occasions, a move initially met with reservation and some criticism owing to the ailing financial condition of the organisation.

However, such incentives proved to be fruitful as more and more passengers opted to travel through railways during such festivities, stated the minister.

As per statistics shared by the railways, a total of 228,509 passengers travelled during the three days of Eidul Azha 2017. The traffic was an increase of 16.11% compared to 196,796 during the corresponding days of the previous year.

Similarly, revenue during Eid this year stood at Rs150.761 million, up 47.5% compared to Rs102.217 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Railways recorded sales of Rs40 billion in fiscal year 2016-17 and Rafique is confident that the corporation will add another Rs10 billion to its revenue stream during the current fiscal year.

The minister said that improvement in punctuality of passenger trains is a key reason for the increase in traffic.



“Pakistan Railways succeeded in bringing passenger trains’ punctuality to 78%, which previously was 49%, and we are striving to improve this in the future.”

Rafique said that they are in the process of upgrading its trains and will soon announce the launch of Awami Express.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2017.

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