PR auctions trains’ commercial management for Rs8.9bn

Office says giving commercial charge to private parties will help generate revenue

LAHORE:

The commercial management of 20-mile up and down express and inter-city trains across the country have been auctioned off to various private parties for Rs8.953 billion.

Sources told The Express Tribune that following the acceptance of the bids by railways authorities, the private parties were asked to deposit 10 percent of their bids as performance security within one month, following which there will be a formal agreement between the two sides.

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According to details of the bids, Tezgam Express running between Rawalpindi and Karachi via Lahore was auctioned off for Rs2.67 billion, the Green Line train between Rawalpindi and Karachi for Rs2.5 billion, Shalimar Express between Lahore and Karachi via Islamabad for Rs1.37 billion, Wali Bahauddin Zakaria Express for 1.25 billion, Rawalpindi-Lahore light brown train for Rs330 million, Musa Pak train running between Lahore and Multan for Rs268 million, Rawal Express for Rs330 million, Thal Express train for Rs339 million, Ravi Express for Rs390 million, and Mohenjo-daro train running within Sindh was auctioned off for Rs90 million.

Commenting on the auction, Pakistan Railways Chief Commercial Manager Syed Ali Rizwan Rizvi said that this move would bring in substantial revenue to the department, and would help in the provision of better travel facilities to the passengers. He added that more convenient travel facilities will be available in the future.