Business Express: Economy class travel to be offered to increase occupancy

Pakistan Railways says train will continue operating on its route.

KARACHI: The management of Pak Business Train will start offering economy class travel along with its business class to encourage commuters and increase occupancy. Chief Operating Officer of Business Express, told The Express Tribune that one economy class coach will be added to the train.

The economy class coach will not be an air-conditioned coach and will seat 30 people. The fare is expected to be around Rs2,000. These commuters will not be able to avail any of the facilities which are currently being offered in the rest of the train.

This the third proposal floated by the management within the week. Four Brothers had already said they did not expect occupancy to be very high in winter but expected to turn it around in the summer months.

The management has already considered options like not providing dinner and breakfast. The proposal of dividing the train into two classes, Business and Budget has also been considered. Budget class would carry a fare of Rs3,500 without the facility of onboard dinner or breakfast. Ahmad said that so far no final decision has been taken on these proposals.

“We are also in negotiations with Pakistan Railways regarding outstanding dues,” Ahmad said. He said that Rs2.5 million has already been paid to PR and the rest would also be settled soon.

He said they were trying to negotiate adjustments based on advance payments made to PR for coach renovation. About the possibility of legal action by PR, Ahmad said that Four Brothers was trying to bring things under control and he hoped it would not go that far.

Pakistan Railways Director Public Relations, Abdul Hameed Razi said, that the management of Four Brothers had assured them that all dues would be cleared soon and daily payments would be streamlined. The train will continue to operate between Lahore and Karachi as per contract, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2012.