Railways jacks up cargo train fares

Railway authorities have increased the fares of cargo trains by 30 to 35% mainly because of the increase in the fuel prices, much to the dismay of traders, who no say they prefer road transport for the supply of the commodities.

The railways have increased the fare of 501 Up and 502 Down cargo trains between Lahore Badami Railway Station and Karachi from Rs265,790 to 350,000. Similarly, the fare of 503 Up and 504 Down Cargo trains between Faisalabad and Karachi, go up From 173,765 to Rs229,670. Also the fare of the cargo train between Multan and Karachi has been increased from Rs201,480 to Rs265,950 rupees.

The business community has rejected the increase in the fares of the cargo trains. They have started using road transport to carry their goods to and from Karachi. This is the reason, according to sources the cargo trains were not plying from various stations, including Multan.

However, railways officials insisted that despite the increase the cargo train fares were still lower that the road transport.