Delays and poor facilities fuel public complaints against Pakistan Railways

Pakistan Railways is becoming a source of inconvenience for passengers, with a growing number of complaints arising from inadequate facilities and services.

According to Express News, despite modern equipment and systems, Pakistan Railways still struggles to ensure timely train arrivals and departures. Passengers traveling on all express trains between Peshawar and Karachi are facing severe difficulties.

Moreover, the lack of mobile charging facilities has left passengers unable to contact their loved ones. Food items and travel necessities are also in short supply, and at stations, 3 to 4-day-old bread is being revived with water to make it seem fresh. Passengers are also forced to pay exorbitant prices for food and other items, many of whom are unable to afford them.

The Rehman Baba train, which is supposed to arrive in Faisalabad from Karachi at 6:00 AM, is currently running over three hours late.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, trains are also facing delays due to smog, with all routes experiencing delays of 3 to 4 hours. Passengers travelling on trains from Peshawar to Karachi are enduring significant discomfort. Additionally, the mobile charging facilities on the trains are constantly malfunctioning.

Malfunctioning Security Cameras and Equipment

It is also noteworthy that most of the security cameras, scanners, and other equipment installed at Pakistan Railways stations, at a cost of millions of rupees, have turned out to be defective.

The few that are operational are barely functional. At Lahore Railway Station, only a handful of police personnel are on duty, and due to the heavy crowds, it is nearly impossible to check the baggage of all passengers.

Worrying Shortage of Railway Police Personnel

There has been a concerning shortage of police personnel at major railway stations across the country. The Bomb Disposal Squad also lacks the necessary equipment.

Staff are being forced to work double or even triple shifts, and several employees, unable to take leave, have fallen ill but continue to work. Despite repeated reminders, no effective action has been taken by the railway headquarters to address these issues.

PR returns Rs380m to passengers

Pakistan Railways has refunded an amount of Rs380 million to passengers during a period of three years due to late start of trains from the originating station.

"Rs33 million was refunded in 2023, Rs269 million in 2022 and 78 million in 2021 to facilitate the passengers following their complaints regarding undue delay in trains arrival and departure," an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

He said Pakistan Railways was taking several steps to improve the service of the trains and facilitate the passengers and in case of late running of trains, passengers are informed in advance through SMS alerts.