AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore, May 02, 2013 (PPI-OT): Pak-Business Express, the most modern, well furnished and well equipped, private-sector run train after completion of one year of its successful operations has curtailed its travel time by one hour, now it is reaching the destination in record 17 hours instead of 18 hours. The train plying between Lahore and Karachi with only nine coaches, has contributed a staggering amount of Rs.100 crore to the national exchequer in just a little over one year.
In a statement issued here, Director Pak-Business Express Mian Shafqat Ali said that the nine-coach train is the smallest one but it is the biggest earning hand of Pakistan Railways. He said that the train has attained the status of role model and an ample proof of private sector’s abilities to turn even loss making entities into a profit-making institution.
He said that no other train is contributing such a big revenue to Pakistan Railways. Mian Shafqat Ali said that the Pak-Business Express had not committed any default as all dues are being paid well in time to the satisfaction of concerned authorities. He said that success of the train could be gauged from the fact that there is a great passenger pressure and occasionally tickets are often sold in advance.
The success of Pak Business Express added a new page to public-private partnership (PPP) as the private sector-run train is earning huge money at this point when PR is facing a huge deficit and suspension of trains on a large number of routes has become order of the day.
Mian Shafqat Ali said that the very objective behind this venture was revival of PR and bringing back the lost glories once attached to it. The amount Pak Business Express has so far paid to PR is bigger than the grand total what the railway authorities are getting from all other trains.
He said that Pak Business Express has so far spent a huge amount to ensure comfort to passengers from buying tickets to their destination. Pak Business Express spent a big amount to reduce travel time between Lahore and Karachi. Pak Business Express is the only train that is travelling in between Lahore and Karachi in record time, he added.
“Time was the biggest issue for the train travellers and the management of Pak Business Express has focused on this issue vigorously and this is the only reason that the occupancy of this private sector run train is improving with every passing day.” Ali said that the success of Pak Business Express has opened up new doors of Public-Private Partnership.
For more information, contact:
Pak Business Express
Main Railway Station, Lahore
Tel: +92 42 36292391-8
Fax: +92 42 36292390
Email: info@pakbusinessexpress.com