Passenger trains fare reduced upto 5pc: Saad Rafique

Federal Minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique Thursday announced upto 5 percent reduction in the passenger train fares.

The decision was taken in the wake of decrease in the prices of petroleum products, so that the effects could be transferred to common man, a press release said.

The minister said that fare of different passenger trains were to be reduced from 3 to 5 percent depending upon the profitability and passenger load on the trains.

Saad Rafique hoped that this reduction would provide common man an economic and safe mode to travel. He informed that during last one and half year petroleum prices were going up, while Pakistan Railways reduced the train fares.

"Although, the expenses on lubricants and fuel are only 18 percent of the total, even then we have decided to reduce the fares", the minister added.

He also informed that present government was taking steps to improve facilities to the passengers, which include betterment in dining car services, improvement of facilitates at railway stations, purchase of new engines and railways vans, and infrastructure improvements. The minister said that to provide quality food to the passengers during their travel, dinning car service was now being run on nonprofit basis adding that quality food and crockery had been provided.

Saad Rafique also took notice of the media report about the loss of his luggage on Lahore airport and categorically cleared that his luggage was neither stolen nor misplaced on the Airport and news reports in this regard were completely baseless and misleading and were result of irresponsible journalism. He advised the media persons to verify the facts before issue any breaking news.